£80,000 worth of suspected stolen goods seized following theft investigation

Two men have been arrested and approximately £80,000 worth of suspected stolen goods have been seized following an investigation into reports of van robberies across Greater Manchester.

A number of reports of various vehicles being broken into across the city centre, Trafford, and Oldham, were received throughout this year, beginning in April.

A comprehensive investigation by Manchester’s city centre Neighbourhood Crime Team led officers to an address in the St Mary’s area of Oldham where the suspected stolen haul was discovered.

The goods, seized on suspicion of being stolen, are valued at around £70-80,000. They include power tools, drills, cases, lights, and more. The items will be assessed and efforts are currently ongoing to reunite them with their rightful owners.

Two men, aged 31 and 32, have been arrested on suspicion of theft. Enquiries are currently ongoing.

Sergeant Adam Culpan, from GMP’s City Centre neighbourhood team, said: “The investigation into the theft series has produced some excellent results, and I am delighted we have secured two arrests, in addition to seizing tens of thousands of pounds of suspected stolen items.

“While our enquiries are ongoing, we continue to investigate further reports of theft and will be contacting victims when and where we have the appropriate information.

"We investigate all reports of theft and I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a crime to please get in touch. We will do what we can to assist and it contributes to our wider intelligence picture."