Eleven arrested in Leicestershire vehicle crime crackdown

Eleven people have been arrested, six vehicles seized and £5,000 in cash recovered in Leicestershire as part of a national operation targeting vehicle crime.

Leicestershire Police have made eleven arrests during a national week of action targeting vehicle theft, car key burglaries and theft from vehicles.

Ten people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft from HGVs following an intelligence-led operation by the force’s Roads Policing Unit on Friday 2 October.

Officers carried out eight searches across several force areas. Six vehicles were seized, while mobile phones, laptops, vehicle keys, SIM cards and £5,000 in cash were also recovered.

All ten people have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Separately, a 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault, driving without insurance, theft and being wanted on warrant. He has also been released on bail.

The arrests were part of Operation Alliances, which ran across the UK from 28 September to 5 October. The operation aimed to disrupt vehicle theft, burglaries involving stolen car keys and the supply chains linked to vehicle crime.

Nationally, 286 people were arrested, 319 stolen vehicles worth an estimated £2.6 million were seized and 20 organised crime groups were disrupted across 32 police force areas.

Leicestershire Police also issued crime prevention advice, urging motorists to lock their vehicles, keep keyless car fobs in signal-blocking containers and secure their homes to prevent burglars stealing car keys.

Chief Inspector Rich Jackson said the operation demonstrated the value of intelligence-led, proactive policing and thanked officers and investigators involved.

He added that vehicle crime affects individuals, communities and businesses, and urged people to take steps to protect their vehicles and belongings.