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Gang arrests over £30m robberies Gang arrests over £30m robberies
(10 minutes later)
Fourteen members of a gang accused of stealing about £30m through violent robberies on country homes and cash machines have been arrested.Fourteen members of a gang accused of stealing about £30m through violent robberies on country homes and cash machines have been arrested.
The arrests were made in Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.The arrests were made in Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
West Mercia, Thames Valley, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire forces were involved.West Mercia, Thames Valley, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire forces were involved.
Police said it was one of the highest profile and highest value series of burglaries in England.Police said it was one of the highest profile and highest value series of burglaries in England.
All of those arrested are being questioned over conspiracy to commit a total of 23 offences throughout the five force areas including thefts from cash machines and burglaries of a number of country manor houses, shops and hotels. All of those arrested are being questioned over conspiracy to commit a total of 23 offences throughout the five force areas including thefts from cash machines and burglaries of a number of country houses, shops and hotels.
'Third recovered'
The operation began in 2005 in response to the activities of an organised crime network operating throughout the south of England.The operation began in 2005 in response to the activities of an organised crime network operating throughout the south of England.
It was intended to share intelligence to disrupt and prevent the gang's criminal activity and prosecute offenders and seize their assets.
Det Supt Mark Warwick, of Thames Valley Police, said some of the offences involved "extreme violence".
The crimes include break-ins at Ramsbury Manor in Wiltshire, Woody Park House in Berkshire, Stanton Harcourt Manor in Oxfordshire, Rencombe Manor in Cirencester, in November and Ombersley Court in Worcestershire between November and April.
He said £30m worth of crime had been investigated in 21 months and about a third of the stolen property had now been recovered, including a cash machine and half of the antiques stolen in one raid.