Proactive policing leads to pursuit and arrest

Last night (Tuesday 26 February 2025) officers from our Rural Task Force worked on an operation alongside colleagues from neighbouring forces targeting those using the cross-border road network to commit crime.

The operation focussed on the villages that sit on the North / South Yorkshire border. Throughout the night, officers used police led intelligence to stop various vehicles who were using the road network.  

At 10.45pm, the team sighted a BMW X3 on the A645 at Beal. It made a sharp turn to avoid officers before a pursuit commenced at excess speeds in a built-up area before going off road across fields near Kellington.

A short time later the vehicle was found abandoned down a track near Chapel Haddlesey. The police helicopter (NPAS) was scrambled in minutes and a dog unit as well as further officers who all flooded the area. When our dog and its handler arrived, they immediately located a man laid under a stationary camper van.

A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of going equipped, dangerous driving, fail to stop for police and driving related offences

Sergeant Mark Earnshaw, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, said: “Last night’s operation is just a snapshot of the policing work we do every day to cut crime and keep our rural communities safe.

“ The proactive element of our operation has resulted in an arrest and the seizure of several items which are associated with criminal activity.

“The team continue to be relentless in our mission to target criminals who cause misery to our rural communities”.