FIVE people were arrested as part of a police operation to crack down on travelling criminals this week.

North Yorkshire Police stopped 47 vehicles on Thursday as part of Operation Hawk, and recovered stolen property, seized Class A drugs, and took a suspected drink driver off the road.

A number of fixed penalty notices were also issued for offences including mobile phone use, no insurance, no seat belt, no MOT, speeding and lighting offences in rural areas of North Yorkshire.

Three men were arrested on the M1 near Garforth after reports of two shop thefts in Pickering and Kirkbymoorside.

Officers seized 83 bottles of spirits with a value of about £1,500, as well as boxes of medication and a quantity of meat from their vehicle.

To report any suspicious activity in rural areas, phone North Yorkshire Police on 101.