LANCASHIRE’S police and crime commissioner joined 31 officers on a cross-border operation aimed at tackling travelling criminals.

Clive Grunshaw accompanied officers at a checkpoint on the A671 Market Street, Whitworth, for Operation Voyager.

Special officers worked alongside road policing and armed response officers from Lancashire and colleagues from both the North and West Yorkshire police forces.

More checkpoints were set up on the A646 Burnley Road, Laneshaw Bridge, opposite South View Terrace and the A59 at Gisburn Auction Mart.

A total of 553 vehicles were stopped, and three received warnings for possession of cannabis, one was issued a Section 59 warning, seven were stopped for traffic offences while two vehicles were seized for having no insurance.

In addition, 18 warnings were issued to vehicles with defects and 23 drivers were asked to produce driving documents to a police station of their choice.

Clive Grunshaw said: “The operation sent a strong message to the criminal fraternity that Lancashire is not a soft touch. We will not tolerate the activities of organised criminals and if they come to Lancashire they will be caught.

“Lancashire is a safe place to live and we all have a responsibility for keeping it that way.”

Special Inspector Luke Davies added: “Cross-border criminality is something we are working hard to stamp out. Our efforts were successful and we will continue conducting this type of work throughout the year.”