Metal thefts foiled by coppers
Eleven people were arrested, seven vehicles seized and fines were handed out as part of two days of action against suspected metal theft.
The operation, part of a nationwide crackdown, took place on July 7 and 8 and involved about 45 officers across Cambridgeshire Constabulary. Codenamed Operation Saruman, the operation also involved officers and staff from local authorities, the Environment Agency, HM Revenue and Customs and EDF Energy.
Fines totalling £1,500 were handed out for waste offences, £1,000 for using red diesel and HM Revenue and Customs took 30 names for investigation.
Detective Inspector Andy Gipp, who leads Saruman, said: "The aim of the days of action was to arrest or disrupt those people suspected of stealing metal and I am confident this was achieved. There were about 50 arrests nationwide over the two days and Cambridgeshire accounted for more than a fifth of these, which is very pleasing."
Similar operations will continue in the future.
DI Gipp urged members of the public to continue providing Police with information about suspicious activity.