Police target thieves during two week operation in Telford

Six quad bikes and engine parts were among items seized by police in a operation targeting thieves in Telford.

Over the past two weeks have Operation Perilla aimed at tackling acquisitive crime, which includes crimes such as burglary and theft.

The operation was led by We Don't Buy Crime, West Mercia Police's response to tackling serious acquisitive crime.

The quad bikes, which are believed to be stolen property, were seized when police carried out a warrant at an address in Abbey Road in Lilleshall on Thursday 28 March.

A mountain bike and van was also seized at the address.

A second warrant was carried out on Friday in Lamledge Lane in Shifnal where a truck and engine parts were seized by police. Three men were arrested and have been released on police bail.

Telford Local Policing Commander Superintendent Paul Moxley, said: "Crimes such as burglary and theft have a real impact on our communities. We know the impact on people is huge when their personal property is stolen and we want to make sure we're doing all we can to protect them. In the unlikely event they are a victim and have items stolen we will do all we can to recover their property and return it to them.

"We know certainly in our rural communities that when items such as quad bikes are taken it has a considerable impact on their livelihood as people rely on this equipment."

During the operation We Don't Buy Crime also recovered two bikes and a quad bike utilising covert tactics.

Chief Superintendent Tom Harding is the policing lead for Herefordshire and Worcestershire and leads on We Don't Buy Crime on behalf of the force.

He said: "We Don't Buy Crime utilises a range of tactics to essentially take the value out of acquisitive crime. Whether that be through our work with second hand stores by making it difficult for thieves to sell on their stolen property, putting prevention measures in place to stop them in the first place or utilising the latest technology to make sure when they do commit acquisitive crime they ultimately get caught."