SPECIALIST officers in Hampshire are taking part in a European-wide crackdown targeting foreign gangs on the UK roads this week.

The first day of Operation Trivium proved a success with Hampshire police making three arrests, recovering a stolen caravan, seizing 20 foreign-registered vehicles which should have left the UK and stopping three vehicles using illegal diesel.

The core of the team was based at Rownhams services on Monday, with other mobile units operating around the county.

Working with other agencies, such as the Border Agency and the DVLA, the police are able to stop suspicious vehicles and use all the powers available to all those teams to bring the criminals to justice.

It is an annual operation which links forces across Europe, sharing information about stolen vehicles, gangs or illegal immigrants.

Sgt Paul Diamond at Hampshire police said: “It has been a successful first two days so we are expecting that to continue throughout the week.

“This is important because forces across Europe are working together to get results, along with our partner agencies in the UK, which means we can make the most of their powers as well as our own.”