An operation to tackle touring criminals on Nottinghamshire roads has led to a string of arrests including that of a suspected child sex offender thought to have committed acts of robbery and theft in Hucknall.

A major operation has been taking place to disrupt criminal activity using the road networks in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Among those captured during the action was a 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old at a house in Newark on 29 December 2020.

He was also arrested on suspicion of robbery after a man with learning difficulties was threatened and forced to withdraw £100 at a cash machine in Watnall Road, Hucknall at around 10.30am on 11 November. The suspect was further arrested on suspicion of theft after two bottles of milk were taken from a shop in the same location on 14 November.

Acting on intelligence and working with departments throughout the force, Ashfield's neighbourhood policing officers set to work together with their dedicated Reacher team and crews from Nottinghamshire's roads policing unit and targeted areas that residents had reported concerns about.

The policing teams also worked with Ashfield District Council's community protection officers who have recently obtained powers through the DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency) to seize untaxed motor vehicles.

A total of 42 fines were issued for offences such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving. Officers also seized nine vehicles which were uninsured and untaxed and conducted five stop and searches at the roadside.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Paul Peatfield, who led the operation, said: "We are keen to utilise activity on our road network in order to catch suspected criminals in their tracks.

"The force's ongoing efforts to support the national speeding and seatbelt operations seemed like the ideal opportunity to pool our resources and target offenders as they travel on our highways.

"As well as the arrests we made in connection with some really serious offences, we also stop-checked around 100 vehicles in total. It gave us the opportunity to speak to drivers and talk to them about the importance of road safety and things like vehicles being fit for purpose.

"We continue to welcome information from members of the public who may have information about someone they suspect is committing driving offences or using our road network to conduct criminality, please call us on 101."