Three arrests and quads, vans and bikes recovered in Telford and Shifnal operation
Three men have been arrested as quad bikes, trucks and engine parts have been recovered as part of a two-week police operation targeting thieves in Shropshire.
Officers also seized a van and a number of bikes as part of Operation Perilla, led by the We Don't Buy Crime team, West Mercia Police's response to tackling serious acquisitive crime such as burglary and theft.
The property, which police believe to be stolen, was seized during warrants near Telford and Shifnal last week.
Police attended an address in Abbey Road, Lilleshall on Thursday, March 28, where they seized six quad bikes, a mountain bike and a van.
A second warrant was carried out the next day in Lamledge Lane, in Shifnal, where a truck and engine parts were seized.
Three men were arrested and have since been released on bail.
'Huge impact'
Telford Local Policing Commander Superintendent Paul Moxley, said: "Crimes such as burglary and theft have a real impact on our communities.
"We know the impact on people is huge when their personal property is stolen and we want to make sure we're doing all we can to protect them.
"In the unlikely event they are a victim and have items stolen we will do all we can to recover their property and return it to them.
"We know certainly in our rural communities that when items such as quad bikes are taken it has a considerable impact on their livelihood as people rely on this equipment."
During the operation, the We Don't Buy Crime team recovered two bikes and a quad bike utilising covert tactics.
Chief Superintendent Tom Harding is the policing lead for Herefordshire and Worcestershire and leads We Don't Buy Crime on behalf of the force.
"The We Don't Buy Crime team utilises a range of tactics to essentially take the value out of acquisitive crime," he said.
"Whether that be through our work with second hand stores by making it difficult for thieves to sell on their stolen property, putting prevention measures in place to stop them in the first place or utilising the latest technology to make sure when they do commit acquisitive crime they ultimately get caught."
The team is funded by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion.
He said: "I promised to make reducing crime a priority, as well as tackling it. I've provided significant additional resources to both and it's great to see the investment pay dividends."
