Operation nets 70 metal thieves

A police operation to crack down on metal thefts has led to at least 70 arrests since September, police said.

More than 250 vehicles were also stopped and searched in Cambridgeshire since April as officers try to disrupt thieves and those handling the goods.

Fines totalling more than £6,000 have been issued to people involved in the transportation or disposal of metals found in the searches.

Six vehicles without insurance were seized as a result of the campaign.

'Identify targets'

Valuables in churches and other buildings are being painted with SmartWater - a coded tracking liquid.

Det Insp Andy Gipp, who led the operation, said: "We are listening to the needs of scrap-metal dealers and have been the first county to introduce a 24-hour reporting system, notifying the dealers of all material stolen within the county to disrupt and arrest offenders.

"If people see anything suspicious, for example people driving around slowly looking at properties, knocking at doors asking for any metal or any other suspicious activity, they should call police."