Raids net results

Officers from Hertsmere Borough Council joined forces with other agencies as part of an operation to tackle crime at a car salvage and repair site in Bushey.

The site, known locally as Bushey Breakers, is at Rossway Farm, Little Bushey Lane, and is made up of around 13 different businesses which specialise in car salvage, recovery and repairs.

All the various companies on site were examined by representatives from Hertfordshire police, Trading Standards, the Environment Agency, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue and the council's Benefit Fraud Prevention, Environmental Health and Licensing teams.

The two-day operation had been planned for several months.  Ten people were arrested and five stolen vehicles seized. The council is currently considering prosecuting a number of people for breaches under the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 and the Motor Salvage Operations Regulations 2002.

Bushey Neighbourhood Sergeant Nick Caveney said: "This operation saw involvement from a whole range of different police departments and partner agencies.  We have shown that by working together with different agencies we can provide a hostile environment for criminal activity in Hertsmere.

"I believe that this operation sends a clear message that we won't tolerate any form of crime in Hertsmere. We will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure that Bushey remains a safe place to live and work."

The 10 men were arrested for a variety of suspected offences, including possessing an offensive weapon; money laundering; handling stolen goods and burglary.