Lengths of stolen copper wire were seized and two suspects arrested after an anonymous tip-off.
Officers attended Yorke Drive, Newark, following reports large quantities of wiring were being shifted between two cars.
Police spotted a vehicle matching this description when they arrived at a car park on the road around 8.30pm on Wednesday (25 September).
They also detained an individual who they saw walking away from the vehicle as they arrived, with a second suspect then presenting themselves to police.
At this point, officers searched both suspects and found multiple car keys, with one unlocking a vehicle parked nearby containing quantities of copper cable.
Another key belonged to a car that was found shortly afterwards in nearby Walnut Tree Mews, which contained large amounts of copper wiring.
Further quantities of wiring – all believed to be stolen – were also recovered from a shed in Yorke Drive.
Following these discoveries, both suspects – a 20-year-old man and a 26-year-old man – were arrested for theft.
Inspector Gina Boothby, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Thanks to the public informing us of potential criminality, we were able to respond immediately and detain two suspects.
“This was a great example of the vital role our communities play in helping us crackdown on crime in their area.
“Without this intervention, we may have not found this large amount of copper wiring, which we strongly believe was stolen.
“It really should go without saying but theft is a completely unacceptable offence that will always result in the people found responsible facing punishment.
“We’d ask that anyone who suspects criminal activity is going on in their area contacts the police immediately on 101, so that we can take action.”
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