Arrests and seizures as cops cross the borders
CHESHIRE police are targeting criminals travelling across the borders between Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
‘Border’ criminals were greeted with a surprise at the end of November when they were targeted as part of Operation Crossbow.
The Cheshire police-led operation is aimed at disrupting criminal activity across the region and denying criminals the use of the roads.
Inspector Steve Griffiths said: “We are relentless in our pursuit of organised crime and will use a whole host of tactics to disrupt criminals working in our region.
“Criminals do not simply stop committing crimes when they reach the police border, but instead they rely on the road network to enable them to commit criminal offences.
“There is a strong link between the illegal use of vehicles and other serious and organised crime, which is why we are working together with our colleagues to target these criminals as they travel across the region.”
More than 30 officers from Cheshire police took part in the operation, assisted by colleagues from Greater Manchester and Merseyside Police.
By using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, officers were able to monitor virtually every vehicle that crossed between the three counties, stopping all vehicles on the roads illegally or that were linked to criminal activity.
The operation resulted in: ● Thirteen traffic offence reports issued for a variety of offences, including speeding and driving without due care and attention. ● Five people arrested for a variety offences – including three people suspected of being involved in burglary in the Frodsham area. ● Three vehicle seizures. ● Two drivers reported for driving without vehicle tax. ● One person issued with a warning for possession of a small quantity of cannabis.
David Keane, Cheshire Police And Crime Commissioner, said: “Operations like this are key to catching those criminals who think they can simply use our roads as a quick and easy way of committing crime.
“I’d like to commend the excellent partnership work of officers from the three neighbouring forces who are working together on a regular basis to tackle organised crime and make the whole North West region a much safer place.”
Insp Griffiths added: “Rest assured that this is not a one-off. Work takes place 365 days a year to crackdown on criminality on the roads and by working alongside other forces and sharing intelligence, it’s only a matter of time before those causing misery are caught.
“The message is clear – if you use stolen vehicles, you drive illegally, you travel the roads to commit crime, we will target you.”
Keep roads safe by reporting illegal use of vehicles to the police on 101, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. ●
CRIMEFIGHTERS have carried out a week of action to highlight the risks of loan sharks in Runcorn. Cheshire police teamed up with the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) for the initiative, which included warning residents about the dangers and offering support and advice.
Onward and Riverside housing associations also hosted events to push home the message, in addition to organisations including Halton Credit Union, Halton Trading Standards, schools and MPs backing the initiative.
A Cheshire police spokesman said the initiative was part of an ongoing operation run by PC Ian Hampson and PCSO Georgie Griffiths to tackle the issue.
As part of the scheme, Cheshire police and the IMLT are running a Spot The Shark competition on Facebook which is open to anyone who lives in Runcorn.
Police Constable Ian Hampson said: “With Christmas fast approaching now is often the time when people find their finances most stretched – meaning it is also the time when loan sharks are most likely to strike.
“While the thought of some extra cash might sound good, borrowing money from an illegal money lender can be extremely dangerous.
“These people have no thought for their victims.
“They are criminals who prey on some of the most vulnerable members of the community and often make threats and use violence in order to enforce payments, which is why we are keen to warn residents about the dangers.”
Tony Quigley, head of service for the IMLT, said: “We’re pleased to be running this awareness campaign with support from our Cheshire partners.
“People so often feel the pressure to spend more than they can afford on Christmas.
“It’s important that residents stay away from loan sharks and only borrow from responsible lenders such as a credit union.
“We urge victims of loan sharks to contact us in confidence on 0300 555 2222 and help us bring unscrupulous lenders to justice.”
PCSO Griffiths said: “When people are short on money they often don’t know which way to turn, which is where we can help.
“Throughout this operation we have been able to provide residents with the information they require, helping to ensure that people are aware of all the support that is available.
“As well as supporting residents, we’ve also been able to gather intelligence from the community, helping us to have a better understanding of illegal money lending in the area.
“We hope that we’ll now be able to use this intelligence to directly target the unscrupulous loan sharks who are operating in Runcorn.”
Anyone looking to take park in the competition should visit www.facebook. com/stoploansharksproject for more details.
Residents who believe they have been a victim of a loan shark should call the Stop Loan Sharks national hotline on 0300 555 2222 or visit www.stoploansharks.co.uk