Farnley cordon: Police seize ammunition and arrest six men after cordoning block of flats

Police have arrested six men and seized rounds of ammunition as part of an operation to track down 330,000 rounds of stolen ammo in Leeds.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Police were called to a block of flats in Butterbowl Gardens on Thursday and two cordons were erected at the end of the cul-de-sac into Friday.

Officers conducted searches after arresting six men and making 'significant seizures' as part of an operation to track down 330,000 rounds of ammo stolen from the West Midlands 10 days ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Friday morning (February 2), police dog handlers arrived at the scene, with three vans and three cars already situated on the street.

Police seized 330,000 round of ammunition in LeedsPolice seized 330,000 round of ammunition in Leeds
Police seized 330,000 round of ammunition in Leeds

One resident told the Yorkshire Evening Post officers descended on the road late on Thursday.

The shocked resident said: "Nothing like this happens round here really."

A cordon was placed at both the front and rear of the flats directly at the end of the road.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Officers combed grass and bush areas to the front of the flats on Friday morning for around two hours.

A cordon was put in place in FarnleyA cordon was put in place in Farnley
A cordon was put in place in Farnley

Further teams assessed the contents of a large black bin situated in front of the flats, with the contents strewn across the ground inside the cordon.

A spokesman for the force said: "West Yorkshire Police are continuing enquiries today after officers made multiple arrests and significant seizures as part of a large-scale operation to recover 330,000 rounds of ammunition stolen from the West Midlands on February 17.

"Six men from the Leeds and Kirklees area were arrested overnight between Thursday and Friday February 26, and significant quantities of ammunition were recovered following the police operation in Farnley and Birstall.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The men detained overnight remain in police custody under arrest for offences of conspiracy to steal and handling stolen goods, and enquiries are ongoing.

Police were at the scene all Friday morningPolice were at the scene all Friday morning
Police were at the scene all Friday morning

"West Yorkshire Police has been working in partnership with colleagues from the West Midlands Police, Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to conduct the investigation."

The cordon was scaled back shortly after 11.30am, with officers moving to the rear of the flats to continue their enquiries.

One officer guarded the rear scene behind railings while dog handlers and other teams combed the shrubbery and grass areas behind the flats.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The road was not closed by police on Friday and residents could be seen coming and going from neighbouring homes.

Detective Superintendent Mark Swift of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “A significant and highly complex policing operation has been ongoing into the theft of ammunition from West Midlands with law enforcement colleagues.

“As a result of those enquiries West Yorkshire officers were able to make six arrests on Thursday evening and locate stolen ammunition in a vehicle in the Leeds area.

“Although our searches remain ongoing and will take some time, I would like to reassure the public we believe the vast majority, if not all, of the ammunition has now been recovered.

“Clearly this is a very welcome development, and we are continuing to spare no effort and dedicate every necessary resource to this investigation.”