Across Northumbria, Durham, Cleveland and Cumbria, more than 100 vehicles were proactively stopped as part of the dedicated week of action – with police carrying out routine checks on anything that roused suspicion.

Inquiries are still ongoing today, with a number of vehicles at the scene in Cottingwood Lane, Morpeth, with forensic units also attending a cordoned off section of woodland.

Northumbria Police’s dedicated rural policing team has vowed to maintain momentum and continue to hit criminals hard after receiving landmark funding.

Councillor Scott Dickinson says the pavilion will likely need to be demolished after the incident on Saturday afternoon

Police officers in Northumberland have received additional training aimed at improving their ability to prevent crime in rural areas.

Northumbria Police have arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of burglary after a spate of burglaries in rural Northumberland.

A man has been arrested after a spate of alleged burglaries were reported in rural Northumberland earlier in February.

The number of reported poaching offences dropped to 312 in 2022 – almost half the number from two years earlier.

Northumbria Police has teamed up with Forces across the North of England in a joint strike against cross-border poachers.

The driver, a 23-year-old man, was subsequently placed in handcuffs and arrested on suspicion of burglary.

An investigation was launched shortly after 10.30pm on Wednesday (October 19) after thieves stole two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) from a farm near Morpeth.

Rural Engagement & Wildlife Enforcement Officer, PC Peter Baker, said: “This is an appalling case and I am pleased Johnston’s actions have led to a jail term. There is never any excuse for this kind of abhorrent abuse.

Officers searching for a missing teenager in the River Tyne Ovingham, Northumberland have found a body, it has been confirmed.

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."

Two suspected burglars accused of stealing quad bikes from a farm near Morpeth have been arrested.