POLICE have pledged to continue targeting travelling criminals in an operation which has seen more than 500 arrests and 6,000 vehicles searched in its first year.

North Yorkshire Police marked the first anniversary of Operation Hawk, which was set up to protect the county’s borders, provide a visible presence to deter criminals in rural areas, and patrol roads, by holding a high-profile day of action in Ryedale, Hambleton and Richmondshire.

Enforcement and educational activities included search warrants, locating wanted people, road policing operations and advised 235 residents about crime prevention.

Two vans carrying large video screens travelled around the area displaying images of wanted people and crime prevention messages.

During the day of action, officers arrested 18 people for offences including assault, theft, burglary, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis.

Others were arrested for breach of bail, breaching court orders and for recall to prison.

The force's road crime team, road policing group, firearms support team and neighbourhood officers were out in force overnight ahead of the day of action and arrested a 44-year-old man and 43-year-old woman from Malton on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug on the A64, near Malton.

The operation also resulted in four vehicles being seized, two of which had no insurance, while the others were stolen or had been used to commit crimes.

Integral to the continued success of Operation Hawk is the Road Crime Team, which was launched in August 2013 to support the initiative.

The team of eight officers and a sergeant have so far recovered £2,321,345 worth of stolen property and seized £1,218,237 worth of drugs.

They have also arrested 273 suspects, seized 66 vehicles and recovered 23 stolen vehicles, with a combined value of £434,822.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy said: “Operation Hawk has proved to be a great success so far, which is not only backed up by the number of arrests that we have made, but by the invaluable intelligence we have gained about the activities of criminals operating in North Yorkshire.

“Thanks to targeted patrols in the right areas, our use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology and information received from our communities, we can build up a picture of who is coming and going and what they are doing.

“Word is getting around amongst the criminal fraternity about Operation Hawk and they know that the Road Crime Team will be waiting for them if they come here.”