Nine arrested after raids connected to £700,000 in stolen plant machinery across the UK.
Ellesmere Port CID officers led the raids, with assistance from the NCATT and Lancashire Rural Crime Team. Cops executed eight warrants in Padiham and Burnley, arresting six men and three women.
The suspects are accused of theft and fraud. Raids occurred at various addresses, including Kay Street (two arrests), Milton Street and Ribble Street (one each), and Crosshills (two arrests). Other arrests occurred at Accrington Road, Devon Grove, and another woman got arrested in Padiham.
The investigation focused on plant machinery thefts, impacting hire companies across the UK. Stolen equipment originated from areas including Cheshire, Cumbria, Humberside, and West Midlands.
Lancashire, Hertfordshire, Avon and Somerset also saw losses. Staffordshire, Merseyside, Derbyshire, North Yorkshire, West Mercia, and Lincolnshire were similarly affected.
DS Graeme Carvell, who led the operation, stated the warrants concluded a long investigation involving about £700,000. They believe suspects used fake IDs to rent equipment and never return it. All suspects remain in custody and are being questioned.