Arrests made in operation targeting organised crime in rural communities

Six people were arrested and plant machinery worth more than £300,000 was seized yesterday (Wednesday 19 August) as police and partners cracked down on organised rural crime.

Codenamed ‘Operation Alchemy’ the co-ordinated day of action saw police execute six warrants at farm sites and commercial premises across Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

Four men and two women were arrested.

The warrants were carried out in Ledbury, Herefordshire and Pendock, Staunton, Redmarley and Stroud in Gloucestershire.

PD Raven assists officers during the operation as arrests are made.

Across the sites suspected stolen items valued at more than £300,000, were seized.

• In Pendock, Gloucestershire - ten items of suspected stolen plant machinery including excavators and dumper trucks - including one truck that had been reported stolen from Cardiff the same morning – were seized. Two men were arrested - a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of theft and a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle. Both men have been released on police bail.
• Ten items of suspected stolen plant machinery including excavators and dumper trucks and one suspected stolen car from a site in Redmarley, Gloucestershire were recovered.
• A suspected stolen tractor and suspected stolen car were seized from a site in Staunton, Gloucestershire. A woman in her 50s was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of fraud and forgery. They have both been released under investigation.
• In Stroud, Gloucestershire, a suspected stolen roller from a commercial premises was recovered.
• And, also in Pendock, Gloucestershire, four items of suspected stolen plant machinery and a suspected stolen car were also seized.
• In Herefordshire, a woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods at an address in Eastnor, Ledbury. She has been released on police bail.
• A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, handling stolen goods and theft at a site in Redmarley, Gloucestershire. He remains in police custody.

The operation was a collective effort between West Mercia Police, National Construction & Agriculture Theft Team (NCATT), Gloucestershire Police, British Transport Police, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce (OICDT), Leicestershire Police, Warwickshire Police, Immigration Enforcement and the Environment Agency.

Inspector Billy Keys, from the Rural Crime team, said: “Yesterday’s strike day targeted organised criminals who operate in our rural communities, and I’m delighted it resulted in six arrests and a large amount of plant machinery and vehicles seized, including some that had been stolen the same morning.

“This was thanks to a well-planned and co-ordinated police and multi-agency approach that brought all skills and resources together. We will continue such work in the future to protect people and businesses from criminality in rural areas.

“As well as the successes achieved, days of action like Operation Alchemy also cause disruption to suspected criminal gangs and evidence gathered will support future investigations for the police and our partner agencies.”

Inspector Dan Wakeford, of Gloucestershire Police, said: “Crime can have a huge impact on those living and working in our rural communities.

“We want to make our whole region a hostile environment for those taking part in rural, wildlife and heritage crime.

“Rural crimes are often under reported. Our hope is that operations like this will help our rural communities feel empowered, recognised and confident in the police.”

Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, Head of NCATT, added: “Op Alchemy has supported NCATT’s ongoing efforts to tackle organised criminal groups involved in stealing high-value agricultural and construction plant equipment across the UK.

“This operation was not just about protecting valuable commercial assets; it was also about confronting organised crime gangs who exploit our rural areas and cause harm to the communities who live there.”

• Anyone with information around suspected rural crime is encouraged to report it to us at https://www.westmercia.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
• Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name, and they cannot trace your call or IP address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.