Shropshire Star

West Mercia Police stop 400 vehicles as part of rural crime operation

Nearly 400 vehicles were stopped as part of a West Mercia Police operation targetting rural crime.

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Operation Farmwatch saw officers from across Shropshire visiting key routes and country lanes throughout the county.

Laybys were also targeted to check those parked up at night were all right.

Across December 11, 12 and 13, eight arrests were made for drug and drink offences across the whole West Mercia area and six cars were seized for road traffic offences.

Local policing Chief Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: "We know that the majority of rural crime is committed by travelling criminals, people who are often part of a larger organised network, who travel into our counties to commit crime and as part of our protect campaign we're committed to disrupting and dismantling these crime groups.

"As part of this three-day operation we have provided a highly visible police presence in some of our most rural areas across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to send a clear message to criminals travelling through our counties they're not welcome.

"I'm really pleased with the results and would like to offer my assurances to our local communities that this operation was not a one off, we will continue to carry out similar operations over the coming months and continue to do all we can to protect our communities."

The operation followed a similar successful effort in November.

Anybody with information about rural crime should call police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org