Following on from yesterday’s report of an arrest in connection with van raids in the Welshpool area, police have revealed that they have staged three operations to try to snare the thieves.
Tens of thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen since the summer, with the raiders allegedly using some sort of master key to unlock the vans and help themselves to expensive goods.
There was another Welshpool van break in over the Festive period, but nevertheless the local force say they have been playing a game of cat and mouse with the culprits for several months.
Chief Inspector Matt Scrase said: “In the last three months we have run three roads policing operations to target this and other problems. One of them combined all Dyfed-Powys Police force resources and another worked with North Wales Police and West Mercia.
“The last operation ran through the night of December 22 and we predict our additional activity on the borders has deterred offenders from entering Powys.
“Our focus will remain on targeting those that enter the county to cause harm.”
A 60-year-old man from the Macclesfield area was arrested in connection with the thefts and was released on bail.
Anyone with any information about the thefts is asked to call 101.