POLICE say an operation to crack down on crime in rural areas of North Yorkshire has been a success, despite recent figures showing an increase.

Figures released by rural insurers NFU Mutual this week showed rural crime cost North Yorkshire residents £1,146,371 last year, up from £1,069,446 in 2015 - a rise of 7.2 per cent, but police said it was having success with its rural team.

Operation Countryside was launched in the Scarborough and Ryedale areas in June, led by North Yorkshire Police's Rural Taskforce, and has resulted in a number of drug and traffic arrests, including possession with intent to supply class A drugs, drink driving and driving without insurance.

Three men in their twenties were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug on July 14, after officers stopped a vehicle on the A171 at Whitby.

A man in his twenties was arrested at Goathland on August 1 on suspicion of driving without insurance and drink driving and released without charge, and police stopped a vehicle on the A64 near Scarborough on suspicion of drug offences. On the same day, a a 16-year-old girl was arrested in Malton and released under investigation of class B drug offences.

Sergeant Tom Rollinson said: "We launched Operation Countryside to target criminals who travel through the Scarborough and Ryedale road networks, including minor roads frequented by criminals trying to avoid detection. These dedicated officers are making the area a hostile environment for those wishing to commit crime or road traffic offences."

Suspicious activity can be reported to the force on 101, 999 in an emergency, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.