TWO men have been arrested near to Sawtry as part of a countywide crackdown on metal thefts. The arrest was made this morning (Thursday 26) at about 3am after police stopped a van leaving Sawtry on the B1043 at Conington. Metal was recovered and the vehi

TWO men have been arrested near to Sawtry as part of a countywide crackdown on metal thefts.

The arrest was made this morning (Thursday 26) at about 3am after police stopped a van leaving Sawtry on the B1043 at Conington. Metal was recovered and the vehicle was seized.

A 30-year-old man from Whittlesey was arrested on suspicion of theft, going equipped and possession of illegal drugs, while a 24-year-old man from Whittlesey was arrested on suspicion of theft. Both men were taken to Huntingdon Police Station.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Saruman, which has seen more than 70 people arrested so far this year as part of an ongoing clampdown on metal theft. Launched in September last year, police have stopped and searched more than 250 vehicles, issued £6,000 worth of fines and seized six vehicles in relation to the transportation or disposal of metals.

So far this year metal thieves have stripped lead from church roofs, schools and community halls and left hundreds without phones lines after the theft of BT cabling.

Smartwater is now being used extensively to mark metal and officers are working with British Telecom to protect their infrastructure with the liquid.

INFORMATION: Anyone with information regarding the theft of metal should contact Cambridgeshire police on 0845 4564564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.