Eight people arrested across Burnley as part of ongoing investigation into theft of high value plant equipment

Detectives from Cheshire Police have arrested eight people as part of an ongoing investigation in relation to the theft of approximately £1 million worth of plant equipment from across the UK.

The six men and two women were arrested earlier today, Wednesday 7 May, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft and fraud, following a series warrants in Burnley.

Three vehicles, believed to have been used in the commission of the offences, were also seized during the raids.

The operation was led by officers from Cheshire Police, with the support of officers from The National Construction and Agriculture Theft Team (NCATT) and Lancashire Rural Crime Team.

They follow on from the warrants conducted on Wednesday 5 March as part of the same investigation. 

Below are the details of the warrants and arrests –

• Manchester Road, Burnley – 38-year-old man arrested
• Fielden Street, Burnley - 34-year-old man arrested
• Prestwich Street, Burnley - 42-year-old man arrested
• Sycamore Avenue, Burnley – 28-year-old man arrested
• Forest Green Close, Padiham, Burnley – 30-year-old man arrested
• Kay Street, Padiham, Burnley – 45-year-old man and 36-year-old woman arrested (Both were also arrested on 5 March)
• Whitegate Close, Padiham, Burnley– 29-year-old woman arrested (Also arrested on 5 March)

The warrants are part of an ongoing investigation by Ellesmere Port CID into the theft of plant machinery from hire companies across the UK.

These include incidents in Cheshire, Cumbria, Humberside, West Midlands, Lancashire, Hertfordshire, Avon and Somerset, Staffordshire, Merseyside, Derbyshire, North Yorkshire, West Mercia and Lincolnshire.

So far officers have arrested 19 people as part of the investigation, while a further six people have been interviewed under police caution.

Following today’s warrants Detective Sergeant Graeme Carvell, of Ellesmere Port CID, who led the operation, said:

“This is a highly complex investigation into the theft of approximately £1 million worth of plant equipment from suppliers across the UK.

“So far, we have questioned 25 people who we believe have been involved in the theft of high value plant equipment, using false identifications in order to hire out equipment with no intent of ever returning the machines.

“Once again, I would like to thank all of the officers involved in this operation for their support and I hope that the arrests provide reassurance to the business community, demonstrating that we take reports of this nature seriously.”

The eight suspects remain in custody at this time where they are being questioned by officers.