A SHEEP farmer repeatedly targeted by travelling criminals has supported a cross border Farmwatch scheme that saw police stop and search 200 vehicles.

Jonathan Metcalf, 49, of Teesdale, County Durham, has been the victims of thieves three or four times in recent years. In two of the raids quad bikes were stolen.

Mr Metcalf has now spoken out about the impact crime has had on his life as the police joined forces with farmers and volunteers to run Operation Checkpoint.

The scheme saw 109 officers from North Yorkshire, Durham, Cleveland, Cumbria and Northumbria police forces work with 104 volunteers.

They targeted criminals travelling across the north of England and southern Scotland.

In total 200 vehicles were stopped and searched, 127 in North Yorkshire, with four people arrested and three vehicles seized.

Mr Metcalf said: “Crime has begun to have a big impact on the lives of my family, farmers and the industry itself.

“Twenty or so years ago equipment didn’t go missing in the way it does now. It isn’t enough to lock equipment away, it literally has to be locked down so that it can’t be moved.

“Machines like quad bikes are relatively speaking a new addition to farming and thieves find them an easy target to steal and sell on.

“Criminals are much more mobile and are prepared to travel long distances to steal whatever they want.

“It seems that if these people want something they will get it whatever lengths they have to go to. All we can do is keep our eyes open and report anything suspicious.

“That is why operations such as Checkpoint are so important.

“By working together the police have the best chance of catching travelling criminals in the act and putting them out of action.”

Operation Checkpoint saw several tactics including automatic number plate recognition technology used.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Edgar, of Durham Police’s tasking and co-ordination command, said: “The use of intelligence enables us to identify and intercept offenders as they travel throughout the North-East and Borders.

“Operations of this scale send a clear message to those travelling on the road network with criminal intent that they will be identified and arrested.”

Sergeant Stuart Grainger, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Our Watch volunteers consistently show dedication, persistence, and a real loyalty to their areas.

“Many have been helping for many years now. They make a massive contribution to keeping rural crime down.”

Further operations are to be held and anyone with concerns should contact Durham Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.