MORE than 50 vehicles were stopped and checked in a joint operation between police forces on the Norfolk and Suffolk border on Tuesday.

Norfolk and Suffolk Police forces united for Operation Identify, stopping 57 vehicles along the border between Beccles, Bungay and Ellingham.

The cars were stopped and searched after Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology alerted officers to motorists who were suspected of crime, in particular metal related thefts, burglary and handling stolen property.

A range of offences were dealt with including fraudulent vehicle excise licence, possession of cannabis, driving with no valid MOT certificate and driving with no insurance.

Two vehicles were also seized as they were being used with no insurance, while Ryan Johnson, 22, of Harepark Close, Halesworth, was arrested and then later charged with intent to supply a controlled drug. He will be appearing before Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 26.

Sergeant Dave Freeman, of Norfolk Police, said: 'We hope that this operation has further demonstrated our commitment to using the latest technology and working jointly to tackle crime on Norfolk and Suffolk's roads, whilst also providing a visible reassuring presence to members of the public on our county's roads.'