More than 200 vehicles were stopped and 19 people were arrested in a crackdown on rural crime.

Northumbria Police joined six other forces in Operation Checkpoint, the UK's largest rural operation, to tackle acquisitive crime, wildlife, and poaching offences.

The latest week of action began on September 14, with an overnight operation that stopped 30 vehicles in the Northumbria Force area.

This resulted in three arrests on suspicion of drink and drug driving, a further summons for driving offences, and one vehicle uplifted.

The operation was aided by 19 rural crime volunteers, who liaised with on-patrol officers about suspicious activity, as well as Environment Agency Fisheries enforcement officers and special constables.

Inspector Garry Neill, of Northumbria Police’s dedicated rural crime team, said: "Operation Checkpoint always delivers results, and the continued support of our partner organisation and neighbouring forces reinforces our zero-tolerance stance on rural crime."

Partner forces Cleveland Police, Cumbria Police, Durham Constabulary, North Yorkshire Police, and Police Scotland made more than a dozen arrests for offences such as suspicion of burglary and possession of a crossbow in a public place.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: "Crime in rural areas impacts victims, businesses and the wider community.

"Everyone from our incredible volunteers to partners in neighbouring forces are coming together and working tirelessly to combat rural crime."