Six arrested and cars seized during police operation in Dover
A mini-digger concealed behind boxes in a van
Six people have been arrested and four stolen vehicles have been recovered at the Port of Dover.
Kent Police worked with other agencies as part of a two day operation aimed at stopping stolen vehicles from leaving the country.
On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March 2025, officers from the Rural Task Force joined officers from Port of Dover and the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT) to check vehicles leaving through the Port.
A total of 236 vehicles were stopped and searched, with over £100,000 worth of stolen items recovered including four suspected stolen vehicles and resulted in six people being arrested.
Officers also seized about £4,000 suspected to be involved in criminal gains.
A mini digger that had been reported stolen following a burglary in Derbyshire earlier this month was found concealed behind boxes in a van. The driver of the van, a 39 year old man from London was arrested and later bailed.
Officers also arrested three men on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle. A black BMW was pulled over after officers suspected the number plate had been tampered with. Checks were made and it was found to have been reported stolen earlier this month from Slough. A blue BMW estate believed to be involved in the theft was also pulled over and the two men inside were also arrested. All three men aged 27, 38 and 24 from Slough were subsequently bailed.
A suspected stolen horse box was also recovered during the operation when officers noticed that the identifiable markers had been removed. Work is ongoing to re-unite with the owner.
Sergeant Ross Haybourne said: ‘Operations like these allow us to take a closer look at those sailing from Dover.
‘Those criminals who think they can leave the country with their stolen goods have nowhere to hide and we will continue in our fight to bring offenders to justice.’