Police found up to 30 manhole covers inside a van after being alerted that iron grates were being ripped up and stolen from a street.
Officers were called to Main Street, Burton Joyce, at around 9.50pm on Tuesday (19 September) after a member of the public spotted multiple people pulling up the covers and putting them inside a van.
Grates were later found to be missing from a number of streets in the village.
Officers worked with Derbyshire Police to locate a van suspected to be involved, which was pulled over in Long Eaton and searched.
As well as the manhole covers, officers recovered a knife from inside the vehicle, while one of the occupants refused to undertake a breath test after police suspected they could be under the influence.
Two men, aged 32 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of theft and possession of a knife in a public place. The 37-year-old was further detained on suspicion of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test.
Inspector Andrew Hallam, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Thefts of this nature ultimately cost us all as taxpayers in Nottinghamshire.
“Damaging the highway by ripping up infrastructure like this also has the potential to be very dangerous for pedestrians and motorists.
“We attended the incident quickly and I’m pleased we were able to work closely with colleagues in another force to trace this vehicle and arrest two suspects.
“I’d also like to thank the member of the public for alerting us that this theft was taking place.
“Our investigation remains ongoing, so anyone with any information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 775 of 19 September 2023, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
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