Operation targeting illegal use of motor vehicles leads to four being seized

The operation focused on Thornaby, Billingham and Ragworth throughout Saturday 2 November.

Uniformed officers were proactively patrolling the area which led to four vehicles being recovered.

In Billingham a Ford transit van that had been previously stolen was seized.

Meanwhile in Thornaby a vehicle that was uninsured and believed to have been used in criminal activity was also recovered along with a quad bike and a motorbike for no insurance.

Officers – with support from police volunteers and Stockton’s Borough Council’s civil enforcement team – issued four section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2022 notices for vehicles being used in a manner which causes alarm, distress or annoyance.

One man was also stopped and searched in relation to carrying a knife.

Inspector Jon Willoughby, from Stockton’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “We are committed to making our neighbourhoods safer and will continue to target the illegal use of vehicles.

“I want to urge residents to inform police when they suspect a vehicle is being used illegally and where they are being stored to enable us to take action.”

If you have information, please either call 101, report online via Cleveland Police’s COPA app or alternatively report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.