Four suspected thieves have been arrested and seven vehicles seized during a coordinated police operation at the Port of Dover, targeting stolen goods and vehicles. The operation, which involved officers from Kent Police, Port of Dover Police, Thames Valley Police, and Sussex Police, aimed to inspect vehicles leaving the country and recover stolen plant and farm machinery.

The multi-agency effort, led by Kent Police’s Rural Task Force and in collaboration with the South East Partnership Against Rural Crime (SEPARC), took place over several days: Tuesday 27 August, and Monday 9, Tuesday 10, and Wednesday 11 September. More than 650 cars, vans, and motorhomes were stopped and thoroughly checked during the operation.

The first significant arrest occurred on Tuesday 27 August, when officers seized a car believed to be on cloned plates. The vehicle had been reported stolen from the Manchester area just a week earlier. Three men were arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with the car. They have since been released, and investigations are ongoing.

On Tuesday 10 September, police intercepted a van containing vehicle parts, leading to the discovery that a car engine inside had been stolen during a burglary earlier this year. A 44-year-old man was arrested and transferred to Gloucestershire Police for further investigation.

In addition to these arrests, police seized five other vehicles for traffic offences, and 16 individuals were reported for various traffic violations during the operation.

The operation was supported by the National Construction and Agriculture Theft Team (NCATT), whose expertise was instrumental in identifying stolen machinery and vehicles.

Kent Police Sergeant Ross Haybourne commented on the operation: "As well as the usual checks carried out on vehicles leaving the country, the work completed during this operation has allowed us to take a closer look at those sailing from Dover and take action against suspected criminals. We will continue to carry out operations of this kind to recover stolen equipment and ensure offenders aren’t able to leave Britain before they are brought to justice."

The joint operation reflects the ongoing commitment of Kent Police and its partners to crack down on cross-border crime, particularly the theft of valuable machinery and vehicles.