Over 50 people were arrested during a three-day police operation targeting cross-border criminality.

From December 17 – December 19, officers patrolled the M25, M40, M4 and M3 corridors, using ANPR technology to identify people and vehicles of interest.

Over the course of three days 70 arrests were made for a range of offences including conspiracy to burgle, burglary, theft of catalytic converters, possession of drugs with intent to supply and drink driving.

Several motorists were also reported for various road traffic offences, such as no insurance.

More than 15 vehicles were seized, and a large amount of intelligence was also submitted for use in further investigations.

The operation, dubbed Operation Chicha, was led by Hertfordshire Constabulary and supported by Thames Valley Police, Surrey Police and the Metropolitan Police Service.

Officers from the Constabulary’s Mobile Scorpion Unit, Road Policing Unit, Safer Neighbourhood Team and local Scorpion teams in Three Rivers, Watford, Dacorum, St Albans, Hertsmere and Broxbourne were involved in the operation.

Hertfordshire Detective Inspector Mike Hanson, Silver Commander for the operation, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who was involved over the three days for their support and professionalism. It’s a great example of how working in partnership can create a bigger overall impact on criminality and I’m really pleased with the results.

“I hope this operation has sent a significant message to organized criminals who are intent on using our roads to create misery for our local communities in the run up to Christmas. We are not a soft touch and we will continue to root out those who travel to our area to commit offences.”

Police say several other operations are planned in the near future.