Cross-border blitz on road crime

Special cameras are used to record vehicle number plates

Thousands of vehicles have been checked in a cross-border operation aimed at driving criminals off the roads.

Northumbria Police joined forces with colleagues from Scotland in an operation patrolling the A1 between Newcastle and Dalkeith.

Officers used marked and unmarked patrol vehicles, along with Automatic Number Plate Recognition equipment.

A total of 34 fixed penalties were issued and one person was arrested for drinking and driving.

Ch Insp Simon Packham, of Northumbria Police, said: "The A1 is a major link between England and Scotland and through high-profile operations like this we can effectively disrupt and deter crime.

"Innocent motorists have nothing to worry about, we are only interested in those who use the roads for illegal purposes or have little regard for others."

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman added: "Criminals are willing to travel long distances in order to carry out crime, and it is vital that forces work together to deter and prevent these people from carrying out their activities."