MORE than 1,500 motorists have been stopped by police in Rossendale as part of an operation to halt travelling crooks in their tracks.

The operation, launched last week, has involved police stop checks at key points across the Valley, as well as increased patrols around vulnerable locations.

Geographic patrol officers, road policing officers, and specialist officers from the support unit, dog unit, armed response unit and motorway unit have taken part in the operation, dubbed Rossendale Ring of Steel'.

It follows a string of violent robberies in Rossendale over recent months, in which security vans, top-of-the-range cars, shops, and banks were targeted by crooks thought to be travelling from Manchester.

Sgt Mark Baines, from Pennine Division's armed response unit, said: "During the past week we've stopped and spoken to in excess of 1,500 motorists.

"All but one or two were very supportive of our action and happy to be stopped, despite the inconvenience. They said they were very reassured by the police action, and a number of them were also able to assist us with our inquiries into recent offences.

"The ring of steel' will remain in place for as long as it takes. Our message to travelling criminals is: Steer clear of Rossendale. You aren't welcome and if you do venture in to the borough, expect to be caught."