Catalytic converter theft has been on the increase, particularly during the Covid lockdown. Recently local police have been involved in a pan-London and South East region crime operation targeting an organised crime group heavily involved in the theft of catalytic converters. On Tuesday morning starting at 0300am the Operation Basswood team, with nearly 300 officers involved, raided 20 premises and executed search warrants at locations primarily in Hackney, both residential and businesses, and locations in Essex including a caravan storage site and London Gateway docks. The investigation of Croydon, Sutton & Bromley offences has led police to an organised crime group operating from Hackney and also a scrap metal dealer suspected of moving the goods, and several other locations in Essex. Four arrests were made: two for conspiracy to commit theft, another for handling stolen goods and a fourth was wanted by the courts. Two stolen caravans were recovered, one having being stolen last year in Sittingbourne. A Landrover Discovery was also recovered in Essex having been stolen from a location nearby. Ten vehicles were seized for either being used in the commission of crime or for fraud. £60K cash was seized overall, £35K found hidden under a mattress. 33 catalytic converters were recovered. 15 were found at a scrap metal dealer, along with stolen BT cable leading to the manager being arrested. Other catalytic converters were found in laundry bags with one bag having been left on a bed. A larger number of tools were recovered and also several different quantities and types of controlled drugs. A Mercedes was also seized from a driveway by HMRC for £30K tax debt. This operation was planned with support over the last few months of specialist officers and teams from across the organisation and the invaluable support of partner agencies, including the British Transport Police, Kent & Essex Police, GAIN, the Enviromental Agency and NaVCIS. Although there has been public concern over these offences, due to the covert nature of this investigation, plans had to be kept under wraps. The police are confident that these actions will disrupt and impede this tcriminal eam for some time. Suspects in the wind and this will now move us into phase two - 'The Manhunt'. See also: ITV news and BBC News In addition, over the last two weeks there have been other police successes:
Further good news: As a result of our partnership working with Toyota they have agreed to expedite a marking scheme for owners of their fleet and this will be rolled out imminently. The police are also looking to run their own marking scheme with Smartwater products, which will take place across all three boroughs in April. Provided by Bromley Met Police
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