A number of arrests and seizures were made yesterday (24 April), during a joint operation between Cheshire Constabulary and North Wales Police.

As part of an operation targeting criminality across the two areas, officers from specialist teams worked together to tackle and disrupt criminality.

In Chester, the North West Underwater Search Unit was deployed to Cow Lane Bridge, to search the canal for illegal items that may have been discarded. Three mobile phones were recovered.

Over the course of the day, a significant number of vehicles were stopped across both areas.  

Five vehicles were seized during the day, including two cars being driven with no insurance, a road bike seen 'wheelieing' in front of officers and an e-scooter. 

Two people were arrested for drug driving in Chester - with a total of 22 traffic offence reports (TORs) issued across both areas.

Reasons included mobile phone use, no seatbelt, vehicle defects, speeding and driving without insurance.  

Two speed detection vans were also deployed in the Chester area, carrying out speed enforcement activity with a static ANPR capability.  

At Chester Railway Station and into the wider Chester area, British Transport Police County Lines Task Force was deployed with Chester Proactive Team.

There were a number of vehicle stops by the Roads and Crime Team targeting cross border criminals along the A55, M56, M53 and surrounding roads. 

High visibility and overt armed foot patrols were carried out in Chester city centre, with the Cyber Crime Team also engaging with the public.

In Cheshire, six warrants were carried out, targeting XL Bully dogs which resulted in two seizures

In partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, taxi licensing was also carried out - involving 26 stop checks of taxis and one seized for no insurance 

Trading Standards, Immigration enforcement and the exploitation team were sent out alongside the fire service, including car washes, a nail bar and restaurants.

Licensing visits were carried out across Flintshire and Cheshire, to check premises were compliant with licensing conditions. 

Inspector James Wilson, of Chester Local Policing Unit, said: "Throughout the day we used a whole host of tactics to disrupt criminal activity in Chester and North Wales, but it is important to note that both police forces use these regularly as part of our everyday policing tactics. 

"As well as being there to detect and deter crime, the operation was an opportunity to engage with the public and highlight what we are doing to keep our communities safe. 

"Operations and partnership working with other police forces is so important and demonstrates that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle criminal behaviour head-on and ensure the Cheshire/North Wales border remains a hostile place for criminals. 

"I look forward to further operations like this in the future." 

Flintshire North Inspector Wes Williams, North Wales Police, said: "This operation was launched to tackle serious and organised crime across North Wales and Cheshire and to reassure the public that we are out there and we're available. 

"Through combining resources, intelligence, and the enforcement powers of the police and partner agencies, we achieved our main objective of working closely with our colleagues in Cheshire Constabulary to disrupt cross-border criminals. 

"We remain absolutely committed to working with neighbouring forces to pursue offenders and, together, we will continue to make North Wales the safest place to live, work, and visit. 

"I hope the success of this operation has reassured residents that we will do all we can to protect the public we serve and take those who commit crimes off our streets."