The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in the South Area conducted a targeted 'Day of Action' on Monday 15 December, working in collaboration with their counterparts in An Garda Síochána (AGS) in the Republic of Ireland.

This pre-planned and highly coordinated cross-border operation falls under the work of the Joint Agency Task Force. Its primary focus was the detection and deterrence of criminals who attempt to travel between the two jurisdictions to commit crimes, particularly burglary in the run-up to Christmas, and to evade capture by police.

The high-visibility policing operation spanned the border regions within the PSNI's South Area and involved a substantial deployment of resources. PSNI units taking part included Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Local Policing Teams, ANPR Interceptors, Roads Policing, Tactical Support Group officers, Air Support, and specialist detectives.

Crucially, AGS simultaneously executed a similar large-scale operation on their side of the border.

Superintendent Peter Stevenson, who was in charge of the operation for the PSNI, explained the necessity of such joint law enforcement efforts: "Synchronised policing operations such as this aim to disrupt and frustrate the activities of criminals operating in border areas and prevent offender movement between jurisdictions. We want to deny criminals, and in particular Mobile Organised Crime Gangs, the opportunity to target our border communities, and to prevent them exploiting the border road network as a means to try to escape justice." During the operation, PSNI officers implemented multiple vehicle checkpoints at various times across several border locations. These actions led to several significant detections:

- A number of motorists were breathalysed at the roadside and found to be driving with excess alcohol, including one man who was found to be more than twice the legal limit.

- Another driver was arrested for driving without a licence or insurance, and for possession of criminal property.

- A separate vehicle stop led to the arrest of a disqualified driver who also had no insurance.

- A number of detections for possession of class B drugs were also made.

An Garda Síochána Detective Superintendent John O'Flaherty underscored the seamless nature of the cross-border cooperation: "Working together we can deny criminals the use of our roads. The border between our jurisdictions is not a barrier to effective police or a barrier to keeping people safe. It is certainly not a barrier to prosecuting offenders."

Superintendent Stevenson concluded by reiterating the commitment to this coordinated approach: "Today's Day of Action highlights once again how important and necessary our close working partnership with An Garda Síochána is and we will continue to build on this coordinated approach. By working side by side we can do more to tackle criminal networks who seek to exploit the border region. It is important that criminals know that law enforcement in both jurisdictions will continue to work together to relentlessly pursue and apprehend them, and ultimately put them behind bars."