Six arrested over Leicestershire metal thefts

Six men have been arrested in connection with metal thefts in Leicestershire on the first day of a regional crackdown.

Leicestershire Police are working with neighbouring forces to focus on scrap metal dealers.

On Monday, three men, aged 21, 23 and 30, were arrested while transporting 1,000m of power cable near Birmingham.

Another three men, aged 26, 28 and 42, were arrested in Leicester while carrying scrap metal in their van.

All six men remain in police custody.

The new regional campaign features officers from Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire teaming up to share intelligence on metal theft.

Leicestershire Police said about 60 scrap yards across the county and Rutland would be visited over the next week.