by Will Kilner City Centre Reporter Police have made arrests in Bradford as part of a major cross-border crackdown on criminals who travel between different areas to commit crimes.

Officers from across Yorkshire and the Humber, together with the Regional Policing Teams, made a total of 24 arrests and seized cash, property and weapons, in a joint crackdown against burglary, vehicle crime and money laundering this week.

The week-long campaign followed an investigation into persistent cross-border crime, led by Detective Chief Inspector Lisa Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Police. Forces from Humberside, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Lancashire and the West Midlands were involved in the multi-agency operation that included support from the DVLA as well as ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Services.

Arrests were made in Selby, Leeds, Bradford, Doncaster, Hull, Huddersfield, Staffordshire and Merseyside. A Bradford man is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.

Warrants were also issued to addresses in the West Midlands and Merseyside and carried out by Humberside officers. Additional specialist support was provided throughout the operation by the Regional Intelligence Unit and the Regional Asset Recovery Team.

Det Ch Insp Atkinson said: “This large-scale positive action is part of an ongoing programme of activity to tackle cross-border crime. It is targeted at persistent travelling criminals who cause harm to communities and individuals. “An operation of this size and complexity underlines the determination of the four forces and the regional teams of Yorkshire and the Humber to tackle this enduring problem, putting people before the courts and seizing and confiscating assets from anyone found to have been involved in illegal activity.” On Monday, officers from North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire and Lancashire police forces made 12 arrests and recovered more than £130,000 worth of vehicles and stolen plant machinery, together with rounds of ammunition, vehicle documents and more than £100,000 of cash. The new Regional Operations Commander, Chief Superintendent Martyn Bates, said: “Joint working is proving to be an effective weapon in the fight against cross-border crime.”