54 vehicles stopped as part of efforts to disrupt criminality in rural areas.
Operation Checkpoint returned on Wednesday 17 September with officers working with other police forces which border Cumbria.
The largest rural crime operation of its kind in the UK, Operation Checkpoint sees several police forces in the North of England working collaboratively to prevent and tackle rural acquisitive crime, wildlife and poaching offences.
The operation follows an increase in rural crime reported over the last few months. Officers are urging rural communities to be vigilant and take steps to protect their property.
Officers across Cumbria, proactively stopped 54 vehicles to carry out routine checks and engage with drivers.
Six vehicles were searched with four vehicles seized by officers for offences of no insurance, no tax and failing to stop for officers. During the night’s activity, seven people were subject of stop and search powers.
One driver was arrested on suspicion of drug driving.
Cumbria Police are committed to targeting travelling rural criminals and are keen to encourage people to report suspicious activity.
Sergeant Amanda McKirdy, Cumbria Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team, said: “This operation sees officers from departments across the force work together to tackle rural crime.
“We are committed to targeting travelling rural criminals and are keen to encourage people to report suspicious activity.
“This operation was also conducted by our bordering forces, as rural crime offenders will often cross county boundaries to commit their crimes in their attempt to evade detection.
“By sharing information and taking action, we are actively disrupting criminal activity which in turn makes our rural communities a safer place.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “This is one of my key priorities – tackling rural crime. As Cumbria is mostly a rural county it is incredibly important that we protect our most isolated communities and businesses.
“By working with neighbouring forces to tackle rural crime, we have a stronger ability to stop criminals from crossing county borders with stolen goods.
“Over the years we have seen a reduction in the visible police presence in our rural market towns whereby stations have closed. It is therefore incredibly important that we now start to put back the resource and the visibility, and most importantly, the targeted activity to tackle criminality affecting our vulnerable rural areas. I hope that as a result of the additional activity that the public and our rural communities feel reassured by this work to keep them, their families and their homes safe.
“As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I am your voice in policing and fire. If you have any concerns around rural crime, or any crime type, please let me know by emailing commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or calling 01768 217734.”
You can report information online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or you can call 101. In an emergency or if you witness a crime in action, please call 999.
To report information completely anonymously, contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.