Seven arrested as police probe electricity theft 'in the range of tens of thousands of pounds over four years'

Seven people were arrested today - Tuesday - as part of an ongoing police investigation into the theft of electricity said to be worth 'tens of thousands of pounds' over years.

The arrests came after police executed search warrants at Crompton Lodge Caravan Park, a travellers site in the Moses Gate area of Farnworth in Bolton.

Three men aged between 19 and 30 and four women between the ages of 25 and 38 were held on suspicion of abstracting electricity. All seven currently remain in custody for questioning.

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Greater Manchester Police said the police investigation involved 'a case of illegal abstraction of electricity, suspected to have cost taxpayers a substantial amount of money, in the range of tens of thousands of pounds, over four years'.

Police patrols in the area have been stepped up as a result, the force said. No further details have been revealed as yet, although two vehicles 'suspected to have been used in crime' were seized.

In a statement, GMP said: "This morning (21/05/2024) we executed seven search warrants at properties located in Crompton Lodge Caravan Park in Bolton as part of our investigation into a case of illegal abstraction of electricity, suspected to have cost taxpayers a substantial amount of money, in the range of tens of thousands of pounds over four years.

"Following the warrants, we made seven arrests. Three men between the ages of 19 and 30 and four women between the ages of 25 and 38 were all arrested on suspicion of abstracting electricity.

"During a search of the site, two vehicles were also seized as they were suspected to have been used in crime.

"Stealing energy and tampering with electricity meters and cables can be dangerous. Police and partnership resources have been deployed to the area to ensure it is safe to search."