Police intercept suspected plant machinery being moved across counties

"Cross-county crime is an ongoing battle, responding decisively is paramount in denying criminals access to strategic road networks."

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Vehicles transporting suspected stolen plant machinery were intercepted three times on Greater Manchester motorways in the last months. Three vehicles using the motorway network to transfer machinery between Lancashire and Yorkshire were stopped.

Officers from GMP's Roads Policing Unit were patrolling the M60 and M61 when they spotted the vehicles. Two vans had to be stopped using tactical pursuit and containment tactics, and two offenders were arrested after a short foot chase. In total five offenders were arrested and charged.

Video footage shows three GMP vehicles closing in on a suspect van and forcing it to stop.

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The items were recovered before the victim even realised they were missing, with a total recovery value of more than £70,000, including a small dumper truck.

PC Phil Raymond of GMP's Roads Policing Unit said: "Plant machinery theft has a significant impact on both the owner and those who have rented the machinery to carry out work. It's not just the inconvenience, but also the costs to the public and the economy. Cross-County Crime is an ongoing battle, therefore responding promptly and decisively is paramount in denying these criminals access to strategic road networks.

"With five arrests, three stolen vehicles recovered, and numerous pieces of plant machinery recovered in such a short period of time, we've made a dent in this Organised Crime Group."

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