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Seven arrested in organised crime crackdown

Charlie Stubbsin Telford
Charlie Stubbs / BBC There is two police cars parked up on a potholed narrow road. On the left hand side, there is metal gates, some dark brown fences and some weeds. In the background are some trees and a lamp-post.Charlie Stubbs / BBC
Police visited nine locations across Telford

Seven people have been arrested after a series of coordinated police raids across Telford as part of operations to crack down on organised crime.

Officers from four different forces went to nine properties in Donnington, Lightmoor, Madeley and Broseley, seizing drugs and "criminal property".

It followed an investigation run by West Mercia Police's Child Exploitation Team which focused on protecting vulnerable children and isolating modern slavery and human trafficking offences, as well as rural crime and drug supply.

Det Insp Steve Goddard said the force "did not underestimate" the lasting impact such crime had on people's lives and their livelihoods.

West Mercia Police worked with Dyfed-Powys, Northumbria and Cheshire forces on the operation which focused on suspected activity in Shropshire and beyond.

Six men, aged between 24 and 45, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary and theft.

Five of them were also arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, with one arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs and on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

One among the number was also arrested on suspicion of being in possession of class A drugs.

A 23-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

All seven remain in police custody.

West Mercia Police There is stolen goods in investigation bags. Some are on a blue carpet whilst others are on a table with a brown top and black metal legs. West Mercia Police
Police seized stolen goods, including Nike shoes and Bosch tools

The raids concluded a two-year investigation by West Mercia Police, the force said.

One of the warrants was executed on a caravan site, with police - accompanied by dogs - searching two outbuildings and caravans.

They were also joined by a specialist police dog from Northumbria Police, which is specially trained to find cash.

Goddard said the raid was built on "several months of intelligence gathering and planning".

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