Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire officers conduct warrants to tackle rural crime, including in Newark

Three suspects have been questioned by police after a series of cross-boarder warrants were conducted.

Cross-border teams split in the early hours of Friday morning to descend on properties on Devon Road, Newark, Occupation Lane, East Bridgford, Wodehouse Avenue, Gotham, and a farm house in Hose, Leicestershire.

Officers recovered a number of suspected stolen items from the addresses including power tools, car parts and a horse trailer.

A 34-year-old man was arrested in Newark on suspicion of conspiracy to steal and possession of offensive weapons. Another man, 34, was detained in Gotham on conspiracy to steal and criminal property possession charges.

Both have since been released on bail while an investigation continues.

A 23-year-old man connected to the East Bridgford address was voluntarily interviewed on suspicion of conspiracy to steal and theft after handing himself into police on Monday.

The sting was co-ordinated by local intelligence, neighbourhood policing, Operation Reacher, tactical support group, detectives and officers from the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service.

This action comes after the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner announced her rural crime plan earlier this year, which aims to renew and bolster the force’s commitment to tackling rural crime.

Sergeant Brett Price, who oversaw the warrants, said: “Together with our colleagues at Leicestershire Police, we targeted a number of addresses in what has proved to be a very successful operation.

"We have recovered a significant number of items and made three arrests, which we hope shows communities just how seriously we take reports of rural crime.

“These high-value thefts can be absolutely devastating for businesses by causing stress and even, in some circumstances, contribute to financial hardship. We want to do everything we can to prevent this happening and will continue our work rural areas to stop criminals in the tracks."

Sergeant Price said rural crime was a priority for the neighbourhood policing team in Rushcliffe and that its impact should not be underestimated.

He said: “When we get a report of equipment having been stolen, this is not only costly in itself for the victims but we often see that in the midst of these offences — suspects have also damaged farmland, fencing, and valuable crops.

"This means victims can be left thousands and thousands of pounds out of pocket as well as without the ability to conduct their daily business in the usual way, which after all is their livelihood.

“That is why we take rural crime so seriously and have built up really good working relationships with other forces. These criminals travel and rural crime has no borders, so it’s really important we have those partnerships in place.”

Neighbourhood policing Chief Inspector Heather Maelor said she was pleased the warrants yielded positive results.

She said: “This latest enforcement action has once again demonstrated our commitment to tackling rural crime and I am delighted with the outcome.

“I hope this proactive style of policing shows we are doing all we can to protect farmers, landowners and rural communities from criminals — and will not hesitate to prosecute those we catch.”

Officers' efforts were praised by Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry, who said: “I have always been determined that we get tough on rural and wildlife crime. That’s why we have been working hard to develop a new plan which will do just that. Our new plan will stop rural criminals in their tracks.

“It is really positive to hear some of the results coming back from these operations and to see those suspected of these crimes being investigated. As the new plan is implemented I am looking forward to seeing our officers continue to deliver for our rural communities.”

Rushcliffe borough councillor Rob Inglis attended one the warrants.

He said: "It's great to see police forces being proactive in tackling rural crime with a multi-agency approach.

"I hope this reassures the local community that rural crime will not be tolerated in Rushcliffe and that the police are working hard to bring criminals to justice."