Police officers targeted criminals committing rural crime last Thursday as part of a cross-force initiative.

A total of 15 vehicles were stopped and seven drivers in the Northumbria Police force area were issued a summons to appear in court, during Operation Checkpoint.

The initiative saw more than 110 police officers and close to 100 volunteers from the Northumbria, Durham, Cumbria, Cleveland, Lancashire and North Yorkshire unite to stop and check vehicles, and seize property.

The scheme was first run in 2014 in a show of solidarity against rural crime and remains the largest initiative of its kind in the country. The forces involved shared intelligence and information, and patrol across boundaries to target criminals and disrupt their use of rural roads.

In the Northumbria Police force area, more than 20 local volunteers joined neighbourhood officers, motor patrols and special constables for the operation which focused on issues such as poaching and theft.

Police tactics included the widespread use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to locate vehicles suspected of being connected to crime, as well as targeting those seen in suspicious circumstances.

Northumbria Police Supt. Craig Metcalfe, said: “Operation Checkpoint saw officers out in force across Northumbria and this proactive activity demonstrates that tackling rural crime continues to be high on our agenda.

“By working with our neighbouring forces we are able to strengthen our stance to tackling rural crime and it sends out a clear message to potential offenders that this activity will not be tolerated.

“The response from the public has been positive and it is important that we not only continue to protect people from rural crime but also increase confidence in those communities who feel vulnerable to such offences that action is being taken.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who worked on this operation, especially those who volunteered their time. The operation would not have been a success without their hard work and dedication.”

Police reiterated that people who witness any suspicious activity can complete an online form at www. northumbria.police.uk, call 101, or call the Rural Crime Reporting Line anonymously on (0800) 7830137.

In an emergency, members of the public should always dial 999.