£75,000 metal haul seized in raids at travellers’ camp - Lancashire

From the Bolton News

Metal worth up to £75,000 has been seized by police after a raid at a Travellers’ site.

The haul, which police suspect was stolen, was found at Crompton Lodge Caravan Park in Hall Lane, Moses Gate, and included a huge roll of industrial wiring and JCB parts.

In a separate raid in Corn Mill Drive, Farnworth, police seized £10,000 and a man and woman were arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

About 70 police officers were involved in the operation, which took place yesterday morning and included the force helicopter.

Police blocked off access to the caravan site shortly before 9am and said the residents on the site co-operated while they carried out various checks.

Other agencies were also allowed on to the site, including the RSPCA, to check on the welfare of animals being kept there.

The Environment Agency, Bolton Council and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) were also involved.

Insp Kevin Lister, from the Bolton South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The people who live on the site were happy for the police to come and look around and make checks.”

Three men and a woman, who were wanted on suspicion of various other crimes unrelated to the alleged metal theft, were arrested and taken in for questioning. The RSPCA also took away a horse for veterinary treatment and spoke to the owner, while a suspected stolen Land Rover and a Ford Transit van were also seized.

DWP officials also stopped benefits to four claimants.

Police said the raid was part of a crackdown down on organised crime, drugs supply and theft in Bolton and Salford.

Det Chief Insp Sarah Jackson, from Bolton CID, said: “We listen to concerns raised by residents about criminality in their communities and take action to target perpetrators.

“It is a force priority to counter the threat of organised crime. To achieve this, our initiative involves police working closely with partner agencies, who also understand the detrimental effect on communities from organised crime, drugs supply and stealing.