A dozen arrests made during cross-border police crack down on rural crime

By Q Radio News

A dozen arrests have been made in a joint PSNI and Garda operation targeting rural crime. 

Three cars were also seized yesterday as Joint Agency Task Force officers moved in to disrupt the activities of organised gangs in border regions. 

The 12 suspects were detained for a range of offences including drugs, theft, burglary and criminal damage. 

Superintendent Alywin Barton said the operation involved high visibility patrols and coordinated activity to detect crime and provide reassurance to the public. 

“As a result there were 12 arrests for offences including drink driving and warrants relating to ongoing investigations into drugs, burglary, theft, assault and criminal damage,” he added. 

“There were eight drugs seizures with the largest being approximately £100 of suspected Class A and there were three vehicles seized when they were detected being driven with no insurance.”

Superintendent Barton said it reflects An Garda Síochána and the PSNI’s “ongoing efforts to reduce and prevent cross-border crime and disrupt the movements and activities of Organised Crime Gangs”. 

He added: “We recognise the harm caused in our local communities as a result of rural criminal activity and we are committed to working with our partners to keep everyone safe on both sides of the border.”