THE latest Farm Watch operation has been hailed a success by police after four people were arrested on Thursday night (November 13).

More than 40 volunteers gathered to take part in the rural operation which saw four arrests for three separate incidents made throughout the Wear and Tees area.

A Farm Watch member reported three men acting suspiciously on land at Stanhope, which resulted in three men from Bishop Auckland being stopped and reported for poaching offences.

One of the men was also arrested in possession of a knife.

Farm Watch officers from Consett also spotted a stolen Kia Sorrento on the A68 after it was stolen from an Evenwood farm on Tuesday, November 11.

The car was eventually abandoned in Esh Winning but with the help of the force's road policing unit the car was recovered and an 18-year-old man from Bishop Auckland was arrested near the scene and remains on police bail.

As the operation was starting to close down in the early hours of Friday morning, an officer from Weardale Neighbourhood Police team saw two men acting suspiciously in Wolsingham. With the help of nearby response officers a further two men from Bishop Auckland were arrested on suspicion of burglary at the town's working men's club.

A 50-year-old and a 38-year-old remain on police bail whilst enquiries continue.

Farm Watch continue to look for funding opportunities and donations can be made via UTASS (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) based at Middleton-in-Teesdale.

To become a volunteer contact PCSOs Liz Finn and Tracy Bilton on 101.