No i-deer how they got there! Police stop vehicle towing trailer only to find two reindeer hidden in the back

Police looking for a wanted man were surprised when two reindeer were found in a tow trailer after police stopped a vehicle.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police stopped the vehicle on the A1(M) in Hambleto on Thursday as part of what the force’s Intelligence unit called ‘Operation Influence’.

When they checked the car they found the two animals, and the driver was arrested on a warrant.

In total, the force arrested 11 people across the county in connection with separate offences and cases including drugs, assault and domestic violence, while others were wanted by the courts.

Police looking for a wanted man were surprised when two reindeer were found in a tow trailer after police stopped a vehicle

A wanted woman was also arrested by officers on suspicion if assaulting a police officer as she was being detained.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ‘A vehicle towing a trailer was also stopped on the A1(M) in Hambleton, which turned out to be transporting the two reindeer. The driver was arrested on a warrant.

Sergeant Savannah Knighton said: ‘Everyone we found yesterday has been taken into custody… except the reindeer, who were both transported home safely.

‘This was a pre-Christmas push to locate and detain a large number of wanted suspects, and teams across the force worked together with excellent results.

‘However, we work around the clock 365 days of the year to locate people who are wanted, which keeps communities safe and ensures there really isn’t any hiding place for those who try to evade justice.’