Two arrested after equipment worth £250,000 found

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to handle stolen goods after more than £250,000 worth of equipment was found by police from four counties.

Officers from Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire who had been investigating a series of commercial burglaries carried out a warrant at a business park near Halstead, Essex, on Friday.

Large amounts of equipment was seized including plant machinery, bowsers, generators and trailers.

A 21-year-old man and 51-year-old man both from Witham, Essex, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

Police were assisted by Datatag ID and the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT) and more than 50 officers and staff were involved in the warrant.

Police believe the offences have taken place over several months and include crimes across all four counties.

Both men were taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre in Suffolk for questioning.

The 21-year-old man has been bailed until 20 March and the 51-year-old was released under investigation with both pending further inquiries.

Insp Andy Beeby from Suffolk Police said it was an "incredibly successful cross-border operation".

He said: "I am grateful for their assistance on the day, along with Datatag and the NCATT, which has enabled us to seize numerous items of suspected stolen equipment, which we will now work on getting back to their rightful owners.

"The burglaries we are investigating have caused huge financial harm to the businesses concerned and our inquiries are ongoing."

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