ALMOST 120 vehicles were stopped during a major police operation aimed at clamping down on travelling criminals.

The blitz took place on the same night that national attention was focussed on North Yorkshire road crime teams through the BBC show Traffic Cops.

Operation Checkpoint saw six people being arrested, six vehicles being seized, 15 breath tests carried out and dozens of tickets being issued for seatbelt, tyre, tax, insurance and MOT offences.

Dozens of Watch volunteers joined police officers and specialist units – including the force’s Roads Policing Group and Road Crime Team – across the Richmondshire, Hambleton and Ryedale areas.

The Northern Echo:

One of the cars stopped during the operation. Picture courtesy North Yorkshire Police

A 53-year-old Hartlepool man was arrested on suspicion of going equipped for theft and possessing criminal property, after officers acting on intelligence stopped his car near Stokesley.

Two men from the Richmondshire area were arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine with intent to supply. A quantity of drugs was seized.

Two men from Middlesbrough, aged 29 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of going equipped for theft after being stopped and searched by officers on Bedale Road, Scotton. Items including a torch, mask, and a glass hammer were seized.

A 19-year-old Eaglescliffe man was arrested after officers stopped a Fiat Punto on the B1365 near Stokesley due to its manner of driving.

The driver failed a roadside drugs test for cannabis and was arrested on suspicion of drug driving. He has been released on bail pending blood analysis.

A total of 42 volunteer Watch members joined the operation, acting as the “eyes and ears” of the police and providing vital information about suspicious vehicles and activity in rural areas.

The Northern Echo:

Sergeant Stuart Grainger of Leyburn police said: “Once again we owe a big thanks to our volunteer Watch teams for the hard work and commitment they show across our rural areas.

“With their help tonight officers made six arrests and were able to keep the roads safe and protect our rural communities from criminals.”

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy said: “We know that some people are willing to travel many miles to come to North Yorkshire, using our road network to commit crime and prey on rural communities.

“Operation Checkpoint supports our ongoing Operation Hawk, sending a very clear message to those criminals - if you come to North Yorkshire to commit crime, we will catch you.”