Organised criminals travelling to caravan parks in the Denbighshire coastal area were targeted by North Wales taking part in a "high-profile, multi-agency operation" yesterday.

Using dedicated teams and automatic number plate recognition technology, up to 30 officers from North Wales Police, the North Wales and Cheshire Armed Alliance Team, British Transport Police, Titan (the North West regional crime team), North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Conwy and Denbighshire County Councils were involved in the operation.

Engaging with the owners of the three biggest caravan parks in the Conwy and Denbighshire coastal areas, police say officers highlighted the issues associated with organised crime gangs, including modern day slavery, child sexual exploitation, 'county lines' drug trafficking and domestic abuse.

Sgt Judith McCulloch said: “The road and rail networks provide easy access into Rhyl and the wider community, and unbeknown to the owners caravan sites are used for criminality, so to target criminals in this way can have immediate and far reaching consequences.”

District inspector Arwyn Jones said: “This operation is just one of a number which will be ongoing throughout the summer months as we continue to ensure the coast is a safe environment for people to come on holiday.”

“The vast majority of those coming to stay on these sites are law abiding citizens, and whilst members of the public can feel reassured by our activity, those individuals making the area hostile should know that we are being proactive in our efforts to disrupt their criminal behaviour.”

“What has been particularly pleasing today is the engagement and interest we have received from the caravan parks, themselves. It is quite clear that some of these issues, are already on the agenda, and they are being proactive in addressing them. This is a huge positive”.

Police say members of the public can report any unusual or suspicious activity by contacting the webchat http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.