Rookie police officers arrested nine people during a training initiative in Keighley.

Nearly 30 Probationer Constables were gaining hands-on crime fighting experience at Alston Road in Stockbridge, Keighley, last Thursday, when they arrested motorists for offences such as theft of a motor vehicle and possession of drugs.

Eighty vehicles were checked, using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), which instantly scans number plates of passing cars and matches them against national police databases, in a clamp down on criminals trying to enter or leave the district.

The first arrest, for driving while using a mobile phone and wearing no seat belt, was made by one of three Keighley Probationers, Darren Poole.

The 32-year-old, who was 15 months into his two-year training, said: "We get to speak to real people and the people of Keighley can see us getting stuck in."

The area was chosen in a bid to get maximum effect, checking vehicles travelling from the Dales and Bradford, with minimal disruption.

Sgt Roger Birkitt, of Keighley Traffic Police, said the operation was a holistic approach to crime fighting, involving police, warrants officers, Customs and Excise and the DVLA.

He said motorists had been very understanding and, for five minutes inconvenience to drivers, it was well worth it.

Along with the arrests there were 13 immediate prohibitions, for offences ranging from illegal tyres to illegal bodywork and darkened windows beyond the permitted density.

Seven vehicles were seized because of no insurance, and more than £4,000 of outstanding fines were paid.

Customs and Excise, who dipped vehicles for rebated fuel, or 'red diesel', which is illegal in most road vehicles because it expels toxic emissions, issued an on-the-spot fine to one driver.

Chief Inspector Simon Atkin, of Keighley Police, said: "I am delighted. ANPR isn't about detecting speeding vehicles. Research has show that 70 per cent of people committing major traffic offences are people with criminal records. This is about checking for commuting criminals."

The operation was part of West Yorkshire Police's Target initiative, an intelligence-led campaign aimed at reducing crime and disorder by involving partners from other agencies such as the DVLA, Customs and Excise and local councils.

Sergeant Mark Eilbeck, of Target, said the success meant ANPR operations would become more a frequent sight in the town. "We will be back," he said.