Theft crackdown unearths 195 stolen phones in a single house

Operation Maelstrom was the latest phase of a continuing North Yorkshire Police investigation to target offenders that has seen more than 300 items of stolen property worth more than 50,000 recovered over the past three months.

Altogether 54 officers raided a several properties across the city on Tuesday and made 10 arrests covering theft, burglary and handling stolen goods.

During the operation, officers found 195 mobile phones in one house alone in Rawcliffe.

Other recovered property included a motorbike, six mountain bikes, several car parts, an axe and two crossbows.

Search teams also found what is believed to be heroin at an address in Tang Hall and a cannabis farm in the attic of a house in Clifton.

Inspector Mark Gee, who helped to co-ordinate Operation Maelstrom, said: "It is very pleasing that we have arrested a number of people who are prolific criminals and hopefully we can reunite some of their ill gotten gains with their rightful owners as soon as possible.

"We will relentlessly pursue individuals who are committing offences at the expense of normal, law abiding people. No crime is a small crime and stealing property that someone has worked hard to pay for is completely unacceptable.

"We are determined that criminals in North Yorkshire will not benefit from their crimes and people who are involved with theft and handling stolen property can expect us to come knocking on their doors."

All those arrested, who come from the York areas, have now been released on police bail while inquiries continue.

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs, while a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying class B drugs.

A 20-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of supplying class B drugs.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft, conspiracy to steal, theft of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving. A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.