£500k Haul of Stolen Gear Nabbed in Massive Police Raid
Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, backed by Thames Valley officers, smashed a suspected theft ring in Swattenden early on Friday 26 April 2024. A search warrant executed just after 7.30am uncovered one of the biggest hauls of stolen goods seen recently.
Four Cars, Six Caravans, Quad Bike and Power Tools Recovered
The recovered stash includes four vehicles and a quad bike believed stolen from Ashford. Officers also found a large trove of power tools and six caravans reportedly nicked from spots across Bristol, Wales, Southampton, Staffordshire, and Sussex.
Once fully catalogued, police estimate the total value of the seized items will top a whopping £500,000.
Seven Arrested But Later Released on Bail
Following the bust, five local men aged 18 to 44, plus a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy, were arrested on suspicion of multiple theft-related offences. They have since been released on bail pending further investigations.
Police Urge Tradespeople to Protect Their Gear
“We hope to reunite as many items as possible with their rightful owners soon,” said Police Sergeant Ross Haybourne of the Rural Task Force.
“Officers are still cataloguing the haul, and a full list will be published shortly. Anyone claiming items will need solid proof of ownership or purchase.”
“This process will take time. We thank the public for their patience,” he added.
“We advise tradespeople to mark their tools, snap photos, and record serial numbers to help us return stolen property more easily. It’s also crucial to report thefts ASAP with as much detail as possible.”
For top tips on securing tools and equipment, visit the Secured By Design advice pages: https://www.securedbydesign.com/media/attachments/2021/07/13/sbd-security-leaflet-tool-theft.pdf
