THREE people have been arrested as West Mercia Police launches a cross-border crime crackdown.

Operation Offa is a joint operation with Dyfed-Powys Police focussing on rural acquisitive crime, such as thefts.

A quad bike was also recovered by officers, with West Mercia Police intending to "flood" the area to target criminals. More than 20 officers from each force were present.

Officers from the rural crime, safer neighbourhood and road policing teams from both forces carried out high visibility patrols along the border on Friday to target and disrupt those involved in rural crime in the north of the county around Kington.

Officers were acting after concerns were raised by the community, with police dogs also in the operation.

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As well as three people being arrested on suspicion of theft, two vehicles were also seized for not having insurance.

There were "reassurance visits" with eight recent victims of burglary, and farms and businesses across the border were also visited.

West Mercia Police officers carried out high visibility patrols in Kington, while colleagues from Dyed-Powys did similar in Knighton, Hay-on-Wye and Presteigne

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Inspector Greg Tudge, from West Mercia Police, said: "​This has already resulted in a stolen quad bike being recovered and three individuals being arrested on suspicion of theft.

"The teams have also been carrying out reassurance visits with farms and businesses in local communities and promoting crime prevention products such as Smartwater.

"We will continue to run regular operations with Dyfed-Powys Police to help make our border communities as safe as possible."