Police will use the latest tracking devices in a bid to reduce attacks on vehicles transporting cash from businesses in the run up to the festive season.

Armed officers and helicopters, will be used to escort the vehicles to and from cash pick-ups with CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition tactics being used to snare potential criminals.

Lancashire Constabulary has teamed up with other forces across the North West and the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) in the operation.

Superintendent Ian Foster, regional co-ordinator of the operation, said: "Cash-in-transit robberies are taken very seriously by the police.

"By working together in partnership with neighbouring forces, we hope to use all the powers available to us to crack down on the offenders who make the lives of businesses and the public a misery."

The police operation will run in tandem with Hawk-Eye, a BSIA funded intelligence operation.

The white Hawk Eye cars, which are chequered in yellow and blue will be patrolling alongside police vehicles and will film cash in transit deliveries