POLICE have arrested two men in connection with the damage of a lorry and the attempted theft of its contents, as part of a proactive policing operation called Operation Cargo.

Operation Cargo aims to catch gangs who slash the covers of curtain-sided vehicles and raid the contents, often when the driver has parked up for the night.

At 12.30am Friday, January 17, officers were carrying out patrols at Barton Lorry Park in Richmondshire, when two men were spotted making off from the location.

As the officers believed they were attempting to evade police attention, a short foot pursuit followed, resulting in the two men, a 59-year-old and a 52-year-old from Leeds being arrested on suspicion of offences linked to thefts in the area. The two suspects are currently detained in police custody while enquiries continue.

North Yorkshire Police would like to speak with anyone who was there at the time who may have seen anything suspicious. Call 101, quoting 12200009183, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.