THREE people were arrested as part of a crackdown on travelling criminals in Selby.

Dozens of officers in marked and unmarked police vehicles took part in a day of action on Friday under Operation Hawk, using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. Officers stopped and checked 65 vehicles, and also issued a number of fixed penalty notices.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs at 6pm, when officers stopped and searched a vehicle in Campsall and found nine bags of cannabis in the boot.

Another man – aged 49, from York – was arrested on the A64 near Bishopthorpe at about 11pm on suspicion of drink-driving. He has been released on bail pending the results of a blood test.

Another motorist was reported for summons for driving while disqualified near Knottingley, and a BMW found to be running on red diesel was seized near Goole.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “We will actively hunt down suspects to their homes, even in other force areas if necessary. There will be no let-up and nowhere to hide.

“People living in rural communities near Selby and across North Yorkshire can be reassured that these proactive operations will continue.

“More arrests will be made, until travelling criminals get the message that they are not welcome in North Yorkshire.”