Police tackle cross border crime in Shropshire as part of Protect 2016

The operation was aimed at criminals travelling across police force borders and committing rural crime such as burglaries, theft of and from vehicles and theft of lead and diesel from the rural areas across Cheshire, Staffordshire, Dyfed Powys, North Wales and West Mercia Police's force area.

First carried out in June 2008 across the northern area of West Mercia Police's region, the operation has developed to tackle cross border organised crime groups travelling to and targeting towns within the South Shropshire area. As such, this has become a key feature in recent operations.

Officers carried out checks in various policing areas, stop checking vehicles and occupants where there were grounds to do so and using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems to target individuals believed to be associated with criminal activity.

There were 21 officers involved in the operation and a total of 62 cars were stopped over the two nights.

Positive results included:

Officers disturbed two men who ran off across fields from a vehicle in a lay-by. The vehicle in question was linked to a local person who had reported it stolen.

Two heavy goods vehicles had been siphoned of fuel, with kit found still attached to one of the HGVs.

One vehicle was seized with 5 individuals linked to the West Midlands area on board

One vehicle was seized for having no tax

One person was also taken into custody on suspicion of drink driving.

Inspector Sean Brennan of West Mercia Police said:

"Tackling cross border crime plays a vital part in protecting people and helping to keep our local communities safe from harm.

"Criminals show no respect for county boundaries and operations such as this form part of the robust steps that West Mercia Police and our colleagues in neighbouring forces have put in place to prevent criminals bringing their activities to our area from bigger towns and cities such as Birmingham and Liverpool.

"We would like to reassure those living in rural areas that we're not just here for our towns and cities. By highlighting the good work our rural officers already do and engaging with the community to help them prevent themselves becoming a victim of crime, we can tackle an issue that can have a huge impact not only on people themselves, but in some cases their livelihood.

"We are sending a clear message to criminals travelling into our region that their actions will not be tolerated and that we are dedicated to stopping their activities before they have chance to affect our communities."

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: "It is vital police forces work together to tackle cross-border crime and deliver the services our border towns and villages need to be safe and feel safe. I want to ensure the sort of joint enforcement we saw on this operation is sustained and effective to send a clear message to would-be offenders looking to come into West Mercia to commit crime".

The operation was carried out as part of Protect 2016 - a 10 day event in which both West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police are showcasing the work carried out by officers and the police workforce. From operations such as this to the execution of arrest warrants, web chats with senior officers and crime prevention events, the full spectrum of modern-day policing is on show for all to see. You can follow the activity on Twitter by following #OpProtect.