POLICE from Romania, Poland and Lithuania will link up with North Yorkshire Police to catch criminal gangs which are touring the country.

The link-up is part of a national operation targeting the gangs which have no links to any UK community or individual and are involved in shoplifting, fraud, metal theft and thefts from vehicles.

Under Operation Trivium II, UK police will stop vehicles and link with the non-UK police to carry out roadside checks on whether the occupants are wanted in their home countries.

North Yorkshire Police’s assistant chief constable Paul Kennedy, said: “We welcome the opportunity to work with colleagues across the UK and Europe in a combined effort to target foreign criminals who take advantage of our road network to commit crime.

"Travelling criminals are a top target for North Yorkshire Police and this nationwide operation will support and enhance our ongoing operations to deprive criminals of the use of our roads and protect our communities from the impact of these crimes.”