Vehicles stopped in farm-thefts purge

The operation was aimed at the roads around the Isle of Axholme which has long been a crime hotspot due to being at the cross-roads of counties and in easy reach of the motorway network.

Police say the area was also chosen because there had been an increase, both nationally and locally, in thieves stealing plant and agricultural equipment.

Yesterday, police revealed the crackdown, from mid-morning through to mid-afternoon on Wednesday, resulted in 52 checks on vehicles.

Police dealt with 20 offences for vehicles being in dangerous or unroadworthy condition. One was immediately ordered off the road. Of the drivers checked, more than a quarter had criminal records.

Also taking part in the operation were the Environment Agency and North Lincolnshire Council, carrying out checks for environmental crime, such as fly tipping.

Nearly 30 official warnings were handed out. Five drivers were also caught using cheap fuel, which should only be used in agricultural vehicles.