Rural Crime - Cumbria Police Recover Assets
Richard Wade
Rural Crime Training. Farm Safety Training. Chartered Surveyors H&S Training.
Cumbria Police's rural crime team recently took part in an intensive week of crime prevention and enforcement efforts, resulting in the recovery of two stolen campervans and the arrest of two men. Officers collaborated with neighboring police forces, including those from North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Durham, Northumbria, Police Scotland, and Cleveland, to conduct property recoveries and investigations.
Photo: Cumbria Police.
The team also led a local "Operation Checkpoint," where officers patrolled the county’s eastern borders to intercept traveling criminals. During this operation, they conducted numerous vehicle stops and engaged with drivers to deter crime.
In support of "Operation Dark Night," a road safety campaign, mounted volunteers focused on protecting vulnerable road users, particularly horse riders, by patrolling high-risk areas.
One stolen campervan was recovered within Cumbria, while a second campervan and a tractor were seized in neighboring counties. Additionally, the team provided drone support to help locate two men following a theft incident. Officers stopped a vehicle on the A66, after which the two suspects fled into the nearby hills. Both men, from Sunderland, were apprehended for theft and released on police bail.
Sergeant Amanda McKirdy of the Cumbria Rural Crime Team commented on the week’s success, emphasizing the team’s varied role, which includes recovering stolen property, collaborating with partners like the Young Farmers and the Environment Agency, and educating communities on crime prevention. “We encourage people to report incidents or suspicious activities so we can respond effectively,” she added.