NORTH Yorkshire is playing a key role in a major new initiative to deter and intercept criminals who use the region's road networks.

A Yorkshire Regional Roads Policing Team, one of the first of its kind in the country, has been set up to deny criminals the use of the county's roads and tackle offenders who cross force boundaries to commit crimes.

It will also tackle criminals who use roads to commit serious and organised crime and work to reduce the risk of death and injury on the roads.

The North, South and West Yorkshire forces, along with Humberside, are working together on the initiative which is based on the idea that greater collaborative working between forces on certain issues can lead to a better overall service for the public.

The team will use automated number plate recognition technology from fixed-camera sites and from cameras in vehicles.

Officers will also use the Regional Intelligence Unit in Wakefield to track down travelling criminals and those involved in serious and organised crime.

Speaking on behalf of the four forces, South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes, said: "All four forces are committed to targeting serious criminals and saving lives on our roads.

"By working together, we can create a Regional Roads Policing Team which is a cost-effective way to fight crime - good news for the police and the tax payer.

"We know that by working together we can be more effective than if we work separately. Together, with the Highways Agency, we are determined to give the public the safest possible roads."

The new team is headed by Chief Inspector Mick Hunter, who said: "The difference compared with existing force roads policing teams is that they are not traffic officers looking for people committing traffic offences.

"This team is looking for people who specifically use the region's road networks to commit crimes."

Each of the forces is contributing to the multi-million pound cost of the project and the team will be fully operational by the end of the year.