Arrests made after spate of burglaries in rural communities

Three people have today been arrested following a spate of burglaries in rural communities in Gwynedd.

North Wales Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit and the Rural Crime Team executed a number of warrants alongside Dyfed Powys Police and West Mercia Police as part of Operation Calafat.

The investigation comes following reports of high value agricultural machinery and quad bikes thefts in rural areas including Tywyn, Dolgellau and Bala in November last year.

Four properties in the Shropshire and West Midlands areas were targeted today, where a number of items were seized.

All three were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary and are being held in Llay custody where they will be questioned by police.

Detective Inspector Richard Sidney said: “This targeted work shows how police forces are working together to disrupt rural crime and I’d like to thank colleagues from neighbouring forces who have supported us in this operation.

“Farms are not just businesses; they are family homes and agricultural theft has a huge financial impact on those who rely on machinery for their livelihood. It also causes significant harm to our rural communities and as a result, we are committed to pursuing those who commit these crimes, wherever they may come from.”