CRIMINALS travelling through Halton had more than a surprise when they were greeted by officers from Cheshire and Merseyside Police.

A high-profile proactive policing operation aimed at denying criminals the use of the region’s roads was carried out yesterday.

Sergeant Andrew Nixon, from the Cheshire Police Taskforce Unit, said: “Criminals don’t simply stop committing crimes when they reach the border, but instead they rely on our 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 and disrupt these criminals as they travel across the region.”

Dozens of officers took part in the operation which focused on a number of roads between Cheshire and Merseyside.

Through the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, intelligence and local knowledge officers were able to target vehicles crossing between the two counties, stopping those using the roads illegally or linked to criminal activity.

Sergeant Andrew Nixon added: “This operation shows the determination and commitment of Cheshire Police to intercept and disrupt those using the regions road for criminal purposes. I hope that this operation provides reassurance local residents that we’re here for communities and were committed to achieving justice.

“I would also like to reassure residents that this is not a one off operation, we’re relentless in our pursuit of organised crime and our officers patrol the roads 365 days a year and will continue to target criminals.

The message is clear – if you use stolen vehicles, you drive illegally, you travel the roads to commit crime, we will target you.”

The public is being asked to help keep roads safe by reporting illegal use of vehicles to the police on 101.

Alternatively information can be reported anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Members of the public can also submit dashcam video footage online at the Cheshire Police website at cheshire.police.uk.