Hemel travellers site raided - arrests made

14 March 2019, 12:32 | Updated: 14 March 2019, 12:37

Police and customs officers in Hertfordshire have seized a haul of suspected stolen goods and arrested 5 people after a raid at a travellers site.

Warrants were carried out at the Three Cherry Trees lane travellers site in Hemel Hempstead early Wednesday morning (13th March).

Police entered three addresses at around 7.20am with warrants granted under Section 8 of PACE (the Police and Criminal Evidence Act).

Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team, the Operational Support Group, Intervention, Specials, the Road Policing Unit and the Mobile Scorpion Team were in attendance.

A number of suspected stolen high value bicycles and other property including DIY power tools, hair styling equipment, baby milk power, make up and a power washer were recovered by officers.

The following arrests have been made:

* A 19 year-old man and a 26 year old woman, both from Hemel Hempstead, have been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

* A 29 year-old man from Hemel Hempstead has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and theft.

* A 34 year-old man from Hemel Hempstead has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

* A 14 year-old boy from Hemel Hempstead has been arrested on suspicion of theft.

They all remain in police custody at this time.

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In a separate operation carried out at the same time in Three Cherry Trees Lane and the wider Woodhall Farm area, colleagues from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) joined police to carry out checks on vehicles for illegal red diesel.

A number of vehicles were seized for having no road tax.

A 24 year-old man from Hemel Hempstead was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply and fraud.  

He remains in police custody at this time.

Two cars were seized for containing red diesel and a suspected stolen Land Rover was also recovered.

A 25 year-old man from Hemel Hempstead was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and remains in police custody.

Dacorum Chief Inspector Paul Mitson said:

"Let me be clear that police in Dacorum are absolutely committed to tackling crime.

Today's action demonstrates that we have the capability and the commitment to take decisive action when and where required."

Anyone with information about suspected criminal activity can contact police online at www.herts.police.uk/Report or by calling the non-emergency number 101. If you're prefer to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or submit details online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.