A NATIONAL police operation in which a man was arrested in Worcester in connection with a robbery committed in Poland has been hailed a success.

The 24-year-old was arrested in Sidbury last week as part of the week-long Operation Trivium in which officers from West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police carried out more than 150 checks on vehicles in an effort to tackle foreign criminals using the UK’s roads.

A 29-year-old man was also arrested in Stratford in connection with another robbery in Poland while a 53-year-old woman wanted in connection with threats to kill in the country was also arrested in the town.

All three along with a 29-year-old woman wanted in connection with robberies and thefts, also in Poland, who was arrested in Bishop’s Castle in Shropshire were arrested as a result of European Arrest Warrants and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court for extradition hearings.

A 43-year-old Polish man was also arrested in Rugby during the week in connection with a historic offence of fraud in his home country and was taken to Nuneaton Police Station.

Police also seized a foreign vehicle for being in the UK for more than six months without re-registering along with three UK-registered vehicles and for being unlicensed or uninsured.

Officers also issued a number of prohibitions, fixed penalty notices, and other warnings.

The operation also involved the Central Motorway Policing Group along with police forces from Eastern Europe and agencies including HMRC, Trading Standards, the DVLA and animal welfare officers.

Superintendent Lee Davenport welcomed the success of the operation and thanked colleagues from other forces for their assistance.

“By working in partnership we have been able to detect a number of offences and prevent further criminal activity whilst sending a clear message to criminals that they will be caught,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor the road networks, and use our various methods of intelligence to stop any suspicious vehicles, and identify those committing crimes.”

Any suspicions around illegal activity can be reported to police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.