Arrests made and vehicles seized in north Hampshire following multi-force operation

Officers in Hampshire made 12 arrests and stopped more than 50 vehicles as part of an operation targeting high harm offenders on the transport network.

The three-day operation, from Tuesday 21 October to Thursday 23 October, saw Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary join work with nine other forces to patrol main arterial routes in the north of the county.

The co-ordinated activity saw forces work together to target those criminals who operate on or across force boundaries to avoid detection.

In Hampshire, the operation led to 12 arrests, 12 vehicle seizures, more than 50 vehicle stops, more than 20 traffic tickets issued and the seizure of drugs and a knuckle duster.

Officers from a number of teams took part, including the Roads Policing Unit, the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, the Country Watch Taskforce and the Dog Unit.

The force also received support in the air from the National Police Air Service’s fixed wing aircraft.

Among the arrests made in Hampshire, six were related to driving unfit through drink/drugs, one was in relation to possession of drugs with intent to supply, and another was in relation to possession of an offensive weapon.

The other forces to take part were Bedfordshire Police, British Transport Police, Essex Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary, the Metropolitan Police Service, Surrey Police, Sussex Police and Thames Valley Police.

Across all forces, 111 arrests were made, 100 vehicles seized, 73 drug seizures carried out and more than £12,348 confiscated.

Detective Chief Inspector Dal Andrews, Northern Proactive CID lead, said: “This was a successful operation involving scores of our own officers as well as those from other forces.

“We border a number of other force areas in the north east of the county. There are criminals who seem to think they can avoid detection by committing crime in one county before travelling back to another.

“We have never tolerated this and we will continue to look at opportunities to proactively disrupt that criminality and bring offenders to justice.”