Action centred around the villages of Byram and Brotherton as part of 'Operation Birch' - a police initiative launched last summer with the aim of reducing crime in the district.

On Thursday 26 November 2012 officers and their partner agencies were out in force again to deter travelling criminals, clampdown on motoring offences and offer crime prevention advice to residents.

Court warrant officers made three home visits to apprehend people who had failed to pay court fines.

Police patrolled the A1246 at Fairburn in response to concerns raised at public meetings about vehicles exceeding weight limits on the road. Several drivers were fined for breaching the legal requirement.

Local officers were supported by colleagues from the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) team in stopping vehicles on the A1246 and the A162 to check that they were properly insured and had no mechanical defects.

Officers were also joined by Environment Agency officials who stopped vehicles carrying scrap metal to check they had the correct licences.

Trading standards officials also joined officers on patrol in and around Byram checking licensed premises after residents raised concerns about underage drinking.

They visited seven shops and six pubs offering advice about selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors, including proxy sales, fake id, pub signage, paperwork and where to seek help and advice.

A Selby Community Payback scheme also took place, carrying out cleaning work at Selby Lock and the local council joined officers in Brotherton to seek out graffiti and any other criminal damage that needs addressing.

Sergeant Lesley Holliday, of Selby Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Overall the day was a great success thanks to all the hard work and planning put in by PC Jezz Richardson.

"Days like this show that we are committed to responding to concerns raised by local residents and are determined to ensure that their quality of life is not affected by crime or anti-social behaviour.