TRAVELLING criminals were targeted in a police operation mounted in Beckford, with several arrests made.

Police cars and motorcyclists were used in the high-visibility operation, on the A46 last Wednesday.

West Mercia Constabulary Press officer Kim Stain said the purpose of the exercise was to catch criminals using that road to leave the south Worcestershire area.

"They actually made five arrests," she explained. "One man was arrested for drink-driving and driving without a licence. He appeared at Worcester magistrates the following day.

"Another man was arrested on suspicion of burglary. We handed him over to Warwickshire Constabulary.

"We had another man arrested on suspicion of burglary of homes in the Evesham area. He was questioned and released on police bail."

She added that a woman was arrested on a number of deception charges She had been questioned and was due to report back to police at Worcester later this month. A man was also questioned in relation to deception charges.

The vehicles targeted were suspected of having been involved in some sort of incident. "Officers were, basically, just keeping their eyes open for anything unusual or any potential offenders," said Ms Stain.

She described it as "a very effective day", and said: "They're actually starting to target different roads in and out of the police division just to see who is coming in and out."

The operation began at 3.30pm on the day and went on until 8pm, with police officers based by the Beckford Inn.