Crackdown on cross-border criminals who target rural communities in the north east

Several of our region's police forces have vowed to continue a crackdown on cross-border criminals who target rural communities.

Operation Checkpoint is a joint partnership between with Northumbria, Durham, Cleveland and Cumbria forces.

The biggest rural policing operation of its kind in the UK - the operation sees police, partners and volunteers join forces to target travelling criminals who commit crime across the North of England and Scotland.

It aims to prevent and tackle rural acquisitive crime, wildlife and poaching offences - with criminal groups often travelling substantial distances between counties in a bid to evade arrest.

Superintendent Andy Huddleston, force lead for rural crime, said: "We know that Operation Checkpoint gets results - and that's down to the fantastic teamwork between all the Forces, officers, volunteers and partners put such time and energy into making it a success."