Another rural crime operation run across Redcar & Cleveland

One night last week our officers worked well into the early hours during another Operation Checkpoint.

This activity focuses on our rural areas and it aims to offer reassurance to farmers and residents, especially those who live near identified ASB hotspot areas.

NPT officers were joined by Matrix Team colleagues, Special Constabulary volunteers and a rural volunteer.

High visibility foot and vehicle patrols visited over 40 farms and officers took advantage of the chance to engage with farmers and discuss any issues or concerns.

Over the course of the operation, mobile patrols stopped sixteen vehicles of interest; one driver was reported for summons and his vehicle was seized for no insurance, another was issued with a fixed penalty notice for contravening double white lines, two drivers received vehicle defect rectification notices for faults and they were reported for summons, and two vehicles made off from police within the East Cleveland area.

Enquiries are continuing.

The operation also prioritised areas affected by poaching and nuisance motorbikes and quads; several of these vehicles made off from police in the Guisborough and Eston areas.

Three males caught hare coursing on private farmland were detained by officers with the help of a police drone operator. They were issued with Community Protection Warning letters and one of them also received a warning for possession of cannabis.

Another man also received a Community Protection Warning letter regarding an earlier hare coursing incident.

Cleveland Police’s force lead for rural crime, Chief Inspector Jon Hagen said: “This was another very successful night’s activity which allowed us to provide reassurance, gather intelligence and take action against those intent on causing crime or ASB in rural areas.

“I hope last week’s campaign and our ongoing work under Operation Checkpoint helps everyone who lives and works rurally feel they have a voice, that police are listening to their concerns and, more importantly, taking action.”

Chief Inspector Hagen reminded residents they can report rural crime and ASB online via the Cleveland Police website, by calling 101 or via the COPA app. Always use 999 in an ongoing emergency.

Information can also be submitted anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning them on 0800 555 111.