Six arrested in Yorkshire over thefts of cargo from HGVs across the country

Six people have been arrested following a series of raids across Leeds following an investigation into the theft of cargo from lorries across the UK.

Five men and a woman were arrested following the warrants at six different address across the Belle Isle and Kirkstall area of the city.

The six people, aged between 27 and 56, has been arrested on charges ranging from suspicion of theft from motor vehicle in relation to the theft of a large consignment of stock from the rear of a heavy goods vehicle.

As well as making the arrests, officers seized suspected stolen goods, along with drugs and weapons.

The investigation is being led by Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit’s (YHROCU) Regional Intelligence Unit.

Detective Superintendent Al Burns, of YHROCU , said: “We’ve recently increased the staffing of our Regional Intelligence Unit to develop a more front foot approach, which has given the team an increased capability to speedily turn live intelligence into timely proactive operations targeting a range of criminality.

“A key focus of that heightened proactivity is organised acquisitive crime, and today’s operation is the latest instalment in what will be a series of similar operations over the coming weeks and months.

“Organised theft from heavy goods vehicles is a significant issue nationally, with an average of nine offences per day amounting to a total cost of £65 million last year.

“The wider impact includes the trauma caused to drivers who confront the thieves, as well as damage to vehicles, replacement transport, missed deliveries, insurance costs, and disruption to supply chains, with customers often facing higher prices as a result.”