New road force targets criminals on move

Sep 18 2008 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Road force targets criminals on move

A NEW specialist police team is targeting prolific and travelling villains – and the officers on it are all proven criminal catchers.

The four Yorkshire and Humber forces have set up a specialist Regional Roads Policing Team to deter and intercept criminals on the roads across the region and offenders who cross force boundaries.

It will be based in four locations in North, South, West Yorkshire and Humberside with the nearest base in Wakefield which will also be its headquarters.

The West Yorkshire Team started yesterday with the South and North Yorkshire squads due to be in action by Christmas and Humberside to join next year. It means the officers will now go regionwide to stop major criminals.

It is being led by Chief Insp Mark Hunter who lives in Dewsbury.

“The unit’s main aim is to disrupt, undermine, frustrate and target criminals involved in high value crime or drugs,’’ he said.