Police and Commissioner hail ‘superb’ commitment of volunteers in rural crime clampdown
9th August 2019
More than 120 volunteers supported police officers and staff across the North of England as part of an ongoing clampdown on rural crime.
Operation Checkpoint – which is the biggest rural policing operation of its kind in the country – saw more than 100 vehicles stopped and checked in the Northumbria, Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham and North Yorkshire areas.
Running from the evening of Tuesday (August 6) into the early hours of Wednesday (August 7), the operation resulted in two arrests in Northumbria, for assault and dangerous driving, and is one of several Checkpoint deployments due to take place this year.
Over 40 officers and volunteers joined officers from Northumbria Police this week in the show of strength against rural crime.
A total of 35 vehicles were stopped overnight across Northumbria and saw officers and volunteers visiting farms and landowners and acted on local intelligence to disrupt rural crime.
Forces worked alongside partners from the Environment Agency, Forestry England, NFU and Angling trust members in addition to a number of Special Constables supporting officers to carry out the successful initiative.
Superintendent Helen Anderson, of Northumbria Police, said: “The support from our volunteers and partner agencies during these types of operations is superb.
“It demonstrates fantastic teamwork and highlights how partnership working can be incredibly beneficial and produce real results.
“It sends out a clear message to criminals that crime targeting our rural areas will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work with our neighbouring forces in the future to clamp down on this kind of offending.
“I would particularly like to thank all of the volunteers and staff who gave their time and best efforts to assist us and the rural communities, this operation would not be a success without your hard work and dedication so thank you.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “It is amazing to see the dedication from all of our volunteers.
“Our volunteers are crucial in the fight against rural crime especially in our more isolated communities.
“They give up their own time to help officers and partners to protect and safeguard the public in the fight against rural crime- they are a credit to themselves and their communities.”
You might recognise our Checkpoint Operations as they featured on one of the BBC One episodes of ‘Our Cops of the North’.
To find out more about rural policing and how you can volunteer, contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, by dialling 101 or visiting the Northumbria Police website.
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