SIX people were arrested by police in the Dyfed-Powys force area after a rogue traders operation saw more than 700 vehicles stopped and checked.
Officers worked over a number of days as part of the operation. Of those arrested, offences included blackmail, drug offences and carrying offensive weapons.
The co-ordinated operation involved not only Dyfed-Powys Police, but also partners from VOSA, Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Power and Trading Standards.
"We carried out a series of co-ordinated operations across the force this spring, specifically targeting rogue traders and those suspected of committing or being involved with metal theft, and we are pleased with the overall results," said Detective Chief Inspector Greg Williams.
A total of 711 vehicles were stopped during the operation days and there were a total of six arrests for offences, including blackmail, drugs and the carrying of offensive weapons.
The operation also saw 112 searches conducted of both people and vehicles, 31 waste collectors were stop-checked and 22 scrap metal dealers visited.
Four vehicles were seized, eight waste transfer licence offences recorded and more than 70 motoring offences dealt with. "These days of action were a real collaborative effort," said DCI Williams. "On our side alone we had a total of 163 officers from both patrol and neighbourhood policing sections involved. They conducted high visibility patrols in key areas and visited scrap metal dealers with the aim of disrupting local and travelling criminals."
As part of the operation, almost 2,000 warning leaflets were issued to members of the public in Carmarthenshire.
"We identified a further two areas in Carmarthen as potential Neighbourhood Watch areas following positive public feedback," added DCI Williams.