CROSS-BORDER police patrols are targeting back roads between Lancashire and Greater Manchester, used as escape routes by criminals.

The operation, covering both sides of the border between the two counties, will involve officers from Bolton and Darwen working closely together to identify and share information on potential law breakers.

As well as cross-border patrols, officers will also be using specialist Automatic Number Place Recognition equipment to identify stolen vehicles which are being moved out of each county and to monitor the movements of suspected criminals.

Inspector Mark Peary, from the Bolton East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Officers from both forces have been carrying out joint visits to offenders’ homes in the area over the past few weeks and we will be increasing our activity on this operation in December.

“Potential criminals will be reminded that they are being watched, and if they step out of line we will have no hesitation in locking them up over Christmas.”

Geographic Inspector for Darwen, Wendy Bower, said: “Cross-border Crime is an issue for all forces and one in which we are working hard to tackle. By working more closely with Greater Manchester Police to robustly target offenders, we are denying criminals the use of our roads.

“We are already carrying out joint patrols between both forces and will be using all methods available to target criminals such as police dogs, and sophisticated ANPR technology.

“My message to travelling criminals is that you are not welcome in Lancashire and if you come here to commit crime, you will be targeted and you may end up with a lengthy prison sentence.”

The team is already seeing successes after a high profile operation last month resulted in six arrests including a man who was caught driving a car stolen from an address in Bolton.

Anyone with any information or who has concerns about crime can contact GMP on 0161 872 5050 or Crime-stoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

pkeaveny@theboltonnews.co.uk