POLICE arrested two men and two teenagers in a series of early morning raids in North Herts and Mid Beds today (Wednesday), recovering thousands of pounds worth of goods.

The arrests were a result of issuing 12 warrants at addresses across Letchworth GC, Baldock, Holwell, Arlesey, Stevenage, Luton and Hackney. They were all in connection with a conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

The sting was part of the same Operation Scorpion which saw six people arrested and four charged two weeks ago, and �150,000 worth of items recovered. The operation targets burglars, robbers, vehicle thieves and related drug crime.

Those arrested today included a 14-year-old boy, a 29-year-old man and a 25-year-old man from Letchworth GC and a 16-year-old boy from Hackney, London. Two further men have been police bailed.

North Herts Detective Inspector Kay Lancaster said: “This second wave of arrests should demonstrate to criminals that we are tackling you head on and will continue to do so.

“If you are involved in stealing and selling on goods illegally or even buying them when you suspect they’ve come from a suspicious source, you should expect us to come knocking.

“Information from the public is invaluable and we would continue to ask the public to let us know if they have any information about suspicious activity in their neighbourhood – have you been offered goods in dubious circumstances?”

Officers recovered a number of items including a number of bicycles, two mini motos and a motorbike. Checks are being carried out on the items to validate their ownership.

It follows an increase of break-ins to sheds, garages and outbuildings across North Herts, where items fitting this description have been taken.