CRAVEN residents will notice an increased police presence on their roads next week as a road safety operation intensifies.

Speeding, dangerous driving, drink and drug drivers and illegal vehicles will be targeted on residential and main roads throughout the county.

The high-visibility police presence will be deployed as part of Operation Boundary.

Launched by North Yorkshire Police at Easter, the operation has already led to dozens of arrests and vehicle seizures. Hundreds of other offences have been detected and dealt with via Traffic Offence Reports, which typically result in license points and fines.

The week of intensification next week coincides with busier roads due to the further easing of lockdown, and the United Nations’ Global Road Safety Week.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, Neighbourhood Policing Teams and safety camera vehicle staff will join forces for the operation, which begins on Monday.

Traffic Sergeant Paul Cording of the Roads Policing Group said: “Operation Boundary has already made an impact, racking up some impressive results, and the support from communities we’ve worked in has been overwhelming.

“So next week we’re intensifying the operation and Op Boundary will be coming to a road near you!”

Sgt Cording added: “As lockdown eases further and roads continue to get busier, it’s imperative that everyone uses them safely and legally.

“We’ll be on the lookout for a range of offences including speeding; uninsured, untaxed or unroadworthy vehicles; drunk, drugged or unlicensed drivers and other dangerous road use such as using a handheld mobile phone.

“With more and more traffic on the roads and rural areas getting busier for the summer, we will do everything in our power to keep communities and road users safe.

“We make no excuses for trying to prevent casualties and deaths on North Yorkshire’s roads.”

Next week’s operation will see officers deployed to key residential and main routes in Craven, Harrogate, Tadcaster, York, Hambleton, Selby, Richmondshire and Scarborough.

Operational results from different areas will be published by North Yorkshire Police throughout the week of deployments.