MORE than 30 cars were stopped and various vehicles were seized this week during a police operation in Northumberland.

Operation Redwood was launched across the Northumbria Police force area last week with teams of officers tasked with getting ahead of anticipated rises in specific types of crime.

On Tuesday, May 2, the force turned its attention to Northumberland, with officers deployed to roads around the Corbridge, Otterburn and Alnwick areas.

They proactively stopped any vehicles that they believed may be associated with rural acquisitive crime, wildlife and poaching offences, and anything else that roused suspicion.

Police said more than 30 suspicious vehicles were pulled over.

Three drivers are now due to appear in court for having no insurance or their vehicle being in a dangerous condition, while three others have been handed penalty notices for driving while using a mobile phone.

READ MORE: Man arrested after crash in Prudhoe

Sergeant Glen Robson, of Northumbria Police, said: "Operation Redwood is all about tackling the issues that are most important to our communities – and crucially, getting ahead of them.

"Whether it’s rural crime or anti-social behaviour, serious disorder or drug supply, we will be supporting our colleagues from across the force to identify emerging issues and take swift action in relation to them.

"Combating rural crime is a priority for the force, and our dedicated Rural Policing Team have had some fantastic recent successes due to their targeted activity alongside neighbouring police forces and partners.

"They’ve recovered more than £1 million of stolen goods from rural areas since June 2020, while poaching offences across the North East have also halved. Through this operation, we are looking to support them and help contribute to more positive results.

"As ever, we will be supported by our fantastic Special Constabulary as well as our Rural Crime Volunteers who continue to play such an instrumental role in our fight to tackle rural crime."

Similar rural operations are planned over the coming weeks as part of Operation Redwood, with officers supporting the ongoing efforts of the force’s dedicated Rural Policing Team.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness said: "This positive proactive approach from the force yet again reaffirms the commitment we have to listening to our communities and acting upon their concerns."