Nine people have been arrested as part of a proactive four-day police operation, with a number taken into custody after being caught in Welwyn Hatfield.

Taking place between September 16 and 19, officers used crime data to target hotspots in the borough, as well as in St Albans and Hertsmere.

Among those taken into custody was a 16-year-old boy from Welwyn, who was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motorbike and theft from a motor vehicle.

He wasn't the only teenager arrested, with a 17-year-old boy from Hatfield and 24-year-old man from Edgeware arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Crime data was used to target hotspots in Welwyn Hatfield, Hertsmere and St Albans.Crime data was used to target hotspots in Welwyn Hatfield, Hertsmere and St Albans. (Image: Herts police)

A man, aged 27 from London, and a woman, aged 31, from Borehamwood, were arrested on the Great North Road in Hatfield on September 19, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.

A man, wanted by Thames Valley Police for stalking and harassment, was also arrested on the A1(M), near Hatfield.

A 36-year-old man from Waltham Cross was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, drink driving, assaulting a police officer and driving without due care and attention, while two men - one aged 24 from Borehamwood and one aged 25 from London – were arrested on suspicion of breach of immigration offences.

A Mercedes C300, Audi A4, VW Golf, Scoda Fabia and a motorbike, all of which were stolen or had cloned plates, were recovered during the operation.

12 people were also stopped and searched, leading to subsequent raids on three addresses. Knives, drugs and number plates were recovered.

Detective Chief Inspector Luke Whinnett said: "We have made an impact in dealing with vehicle crime across these areas and are making our roads and communities safer.  We received lots of positive feedback from residents."