An operation to disrupt criminal activity in Cumbria’s rural communities was held on Tuesday evening (Sept 19) during a national rural crime week of action.
Operation Checkpoint sees a number of police forces working collaboratively to prevent and tackle rural acquisitive crime, wildlife and poaching offences.
During the evening a total of 121 vehicles were stopped in Cumbria and a number searched:-
- Two vehicles were seized and uplifted
- Jamie Garner, 33 of Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees was arrested and charged for driving whilst disqualified, using a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance and obstructing a constable in execution of duty. He is to appear at South Cumbria Magistrates Court yesterday (Sept 21)
- Two drivers were also issued fixed penalty notices for road traffic offences.
- A male was reported for failing to stop for police.
- A male was reported for offences following controlled drugs being found in his vehicle.
In Cumbria, officers regularly carry out enforcement initiatives that form part of Operation Lantern, the constabulary’s dedicated operation to target rural crime within Cumbria. The operation aims to prevent and disrupt serious and organised rural acquisitive crime that occurs in our county.
Chief Inspector Lee Skelton, Cumbria Constabulary’s Rural Crime Lead, said: “Operation Checkpoint is a well-established initiative that sees forces work together to tackle rural crime.
“This week we launched our dedicated Rural Crime Team who led the operation in Cumbria supported by colleagues across the force.
“Cumbria is predominantly rural, and we see offenders cross county boundaries to commit their crimes in their attempt to evade detection.
“This operation means we work closely with our bordering forces to share information and take action together to actively disrupt criminal activity to make our rural communities a safer place.
“To be able to do this effectively information from our communities is crucial in our efforts to investigate offences that have occurred and also prevent further incidents.
“If you notice suspicious activity, we want to hear from you.
“With such information, not only do we act here in Cumbria, but we also can share this with neighbouring forces which can further disrupt criminals from outside our county.
“The Rural Crime Team will be working closely with rural communities so we can gain as much information on suspicious activity.”
Cumbria’s Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Mike Johnson, said: “I attended Operation Checkpoint with the Officers on Tuesday evening and it was great to see the preparation that goes into these operations and the resulting outcomes.
“Stopping 121 vehicles in such a short space of time is a great achievement and being able to stop those who are breaking the law and potentially causing an accident, can only be a positive.
“Many residents live in remote areas so we have a duty to ensure that, although they live in these secluded places, they do not feel isolated and vulnerable to crime, which is why operations such as this are so important.
“The results of this operation are really positive and the message to criminals is clear – you are not welcome in Cumbria.
“I would encourage our rural communities to continue to report anything suspicious to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Residents know their area better than anyone so we really need them to be our ‘eyes and ears’ in their community so that the Police can take action – together we can make Cumbria an even safer place to live, work and visit.”
The Rural Crime Police Team have a dedicated Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/cumbriapoliceruralcrimeteam where the team will highlight issues, incidents, and advice on how our communities can keep themselves safe.
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.