Seven men, believed to be members of a gang, which is accused of stealing money and damaging property of up to £1 million, have been arrested by police in early morning raids on properties across two counties.

It's believed the gang would target properties with safes across the South West, and as far north as the West Midlands.

It's alleged that gang members would break-in and smash open the safes, if they could.  When that wasn't possible they would attach straps to a tow bar of a vehicle and the safe in question and then use the vehicle to pull the safe out of the wall or off its mountings.  They would then drive off and prise open the safe later. 

There were also incidents where they have taken out whole walls to get to a safe, causing massive amounts of damage.  It's estimated that damage to properties AND money/valuables taken amounted to a total of £1 million.

Addresses in Calne, Brinkworth (near Swindon) and Willows Lane (Gloucester) were targeted in the raids today.

48 officers, from Wiltshire Police, lead Operation Keel this morning (Thursday 28th May 2015), with the help from 28 officers from both Gloucestershire and Thames Valley Police.

Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.

DI Paul Franklin, the Officer in Charge from Wiltshire Police, said: "After months of work, across three counties and three forces, we see this as a major, positive result - arresting key members of a gang who, we believe, prolifically raided properties and stole large amounts of cash and valuables. Also, in many cases, they caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to these properties.


"Today is a major success for Wiltshire Police, which lead the operation, and also for our colleagues in Gloucestershire and Thames Valley - this is a culmination of hours of hard work for the many involved in Operation Keel."