POLICE carried out two raids this morning (Wednesday, August 19) as part of an operation to crack down on suspected criminals believed to be involved in selling stolen cars and car parts.

Officers carried out warrants at businesses in Sutton and Fingerpost and arrested one man, a 22-year-old from Lancashire, on suspicion of theft.

Searches of the premises were carried out involving officers from St Helens along with specialist police from the force's Vehicle Crime Group. An number of laptops and paperwork was seized for further investigation.

Neighbourhood Inspector for St Helens Dave Brennan said: "Criminals involved in the sale of stolen cars and associated parts are unscrupulous individuals who think nothing of lining their pockets at the expense of honest, hard-working members of the public. Anyone who's had their vehicle stolen will know how upsetting and inconvenient it can be and people who have bought a previously stolen car often end up losing their money or driving round in vehicles which can be death traps.

"As well as profiting from other people's misfortune, people who sell on stolen cars or break them up to sell spares often have links to serious and organised crime and are making lives easier for people to commit offences across Merseyside.

"This operation is all about showing decent people across St Helens that we won't tolerate those people who use the area to engage in criminality.

"I would appeal to anyone with information about vehicle or any other types of crime in St Helens to come forward and contact us. This operation should reassure the public that we will take pro-active action on all the information that we receive."

People can call officers via the 101 number or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.