Police seize weapons in Leeds raids on suspected HGV goods theft ring
Six people have been arrested
Police have carried out a series of raids across Leeds as part of an investigation into the organised theft of cargo from heavy goods vehicles.
Five men and a woman were arrested as officers executed warrants at six addresses in the Belle Isle and Kirkstall areas of the city this morning (August 18).
The operation, led by officers from the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, also resulted in the seizing of a quantity of suspected stolen goods, along with controlled drugs and a variety of weapons, including a stun gun, which is prohibited under firearms legislation.
The men and women, aged 27 to 56, have been arrested on suspicion of theft from motor vehicle in relation to the theft of a large consignment of stock from the rear of a heavy goods vehicle. They remain in custody and enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Superintendent Al Burns, of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, who is the national ROCU lead for Serious Organised Acquisitive Crime, said: “We’ve recently increased the staffing of our Regional Intelligence Unit to develop a more front foot approach, which has given the team an increased capability to speedily turn live intelligence into timely proactive operations targeting a range of criminality.
“A key focus of that heightened proactivity is organised acquisitive crime, and today’s operation is the latest instalment in what will be a series of similar operations over the coming weeks and months.
“Organised theft from heavy goods vehicles is a significant issue nationally, with an average of nine offences per day amounting to a total cost of £65 million last year. The wider impact includes the trauma caused to drivers who confront the thieves, as well as damage to vehicles, replacement transport, missed deliveries, insurance costs, and disruption to supply chains, with customers often facing higher prices as a result.”
The investigation is being led by YHROCU’s Regional Intelligence Unit as part of an increased focus on organised acquisitive crime across the region.