Checks on suspicious vehicles have been ramped up in Edenbridge as part of a police operation targeting rural crime.

Increased patrols have been on the look out for criminals using quieter roads, with marked and plain clothed officers carrying out checks in and around the town.

Between Wednesday, August 25 and the next day, several cars and trucks were stopped during an operation with officers from the Rural Task Force and Sussex Police, which also covered areas on the Surrey border.

Two vehicles were seized, including a Nissan Cabstar, which was linked to suspected poaching offences.

Searches also led to drugs being seized with one driver receiving a fixed penalty notice, and a second being reported for possession.

Further intelligence on suspicious vehicles was gained through stopping and checking drivers in Cowden, Hever, Hartfield and Crockham Hill.

The operation led to a man and a woman being detained in connection with offences outside of Kent. They were passed into the custody of the Metropolitan Police.

"We regularly carry out proactive patrols on the quieter roads surrounding our rural communities..."

Enforcement also saw a number of motorists being reported for driving without insurance, without a valid MOT and for having no road tax.

Sgt Robbie Cooke said: "We regularly carry out proactive patrols on the quieter roads surrounding our rural communities, as experience shows these are used by criminals who think they can avoid being spotted by our officers.

"These checks are completed at different locations on a regular basis at varying times of the day, with the intention of keeping offenders on the back foot as they never know when they will meet one of our patrols.

‘Where there is insufficient evidence to make an arrest, the intelligence we gain from these operations is often crucial in deterring and detecting associated crime such as theft and burglary.

"Having a targeted approach also enables us to check more closely that drivers are complying with road traffic legislation and other rules, such as having the necessary licence to carry and transfer scrap metal.

"Those who are not risk losing their vehicles."

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