Officers from Ellesmere Port CID, with the support of officers from The National Construction and Agriculture Theft Team (NCATT) and Lancashire Rural Crime Team, executed eight warrants at premises across Padiham and Burnley, leading to the arrest of nine people.

The six men and three women were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft and fraud.

They include incidents in Cheshire, Cumbria, Humberside, West Midlands, Lancashire, Hertfordshire, Avon and Somerset, Staffordshire, Merseyside, Derbyshire, North Yorkshire, West Mercia and Lincolnshire.

Detective Sergeant Graeme Carvell, of Ellesmere Port CID, who led the operation, said: “Today’s warrants are the culmination of a detailed investigation into the theft of around £700,000 worth of plant equipment from suppliers across the UK.

“Through our investigation we believe that those involved have been using false identifications in order to hire out plant equipment with no intent of ever returning the machines.

“I would like to thank all of the officers involved in this morning’s operation for their support and I hope that the arrests provide reassurance to the business community, demonstrating that we take reports of this nature seriously.”