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Police on a raid this morning

FORTY police raided homes across East Lancashire following an 11-month investigation into an organised car crime gang.

Three men from the same family were arrested in the raids in Accrington, Church and Burnley.

The action followed the investigation into thefts of power tools worth £60,000 across the area since last May.

Police said their inquiry had led them to link 60 thefts from vans, particularly those with business insignia, at supermarket and DIY store car parks.

The locks were broken with a screwdriver and items such as power drills, tool belts, and steel saws stolen.

Officers said they believed the stolen goods were then sold on outside East Lancashire, probably elsewhere in the north west.

More than 40 officers - including police with dogs specially trained to sniff out banknotes - carried out the simultaneous raids at 7.30am today.

Two brothers, aged 45 and 23, were escorted out of houses in Richmond Avenue, Accrington, and Barnes Street, Church.

A third man from the same family was arrested in Padgate Place, Burnley.

The first two men were questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to commit auto crime and the 37-year-old on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

Officers said they seized suspected stolen property from all three addresses, including several satellite navigation systems, roof racks, and an industrial generator.

A green Ford Escort found near to Richmond Avenue was also seized.

The car is suspected to have been used in an attempted theft from a van parked in Lidl car park in Hyndburn Road on Monday evening.

Detective inspector Joanne Lightbown said the high profile raids aimed to reassure the community that police listened to them.

She said: "We have known this to happen in the past, but we became aware that there was a prevalent problem with certain supermarket and shop car parks being targeted.

"A significant amount of the evidence gathered was thanks to the local communities, and as a result of calls to Crimestoppers.

"We were aware of how much of an impact these crimes were having on victims and residents, and the operation was to show the community how much we value the intelligence they provide, and that we are prepared to act on it."

Superintendent Richard Spedding said: "The policing year starts on April 1, so I hope that today sends a real message out that we will deal extremely robustly with those involved in organised criminality, whilst reassuring members of the community blighted by these offences.

"One of our core roles is to protect people and today has highlighted how we seek to protect victims of crime."

Police said they wanted to speak to two further men in connection with the inquiry.

Officers are currently working with the managers of targeted store car parks to ensure that there was adequate security measures in place, such as CCTV and lighting.

Appeals are also going out to local firms with crime prevention advice about not leaving tools on display in vehicles, or leaving them unattended for too long.

Anyone with any information or concerns about crime or disorder in their neighbourhood, is urged to contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

10:03pm Tuesday 1st April 2008

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