TWO men arrested during a police raid at a scrap yard have been released on bail while further enquiries take place.

A 63-year-old and a 65-year-old men were arrested on Thursday when a task force of more than 20 police officers and partner-agency staff raided the site in Ayelsford.

The raid, code-named Operation Helock, was the culmination of months of investigation into the yard, where police believe stolen cars have been crushed before being sold on as scrap.

Rising scrap metal prices, prompted by the booming Chinese economy, are thought to be behind an increase in vehicle thefts in Mid Kent.

Ch Insp Ian Hall, Maidstone borough commander for Mid Kent Police, said: "The theft of a motor vehicle can be an extremely distressing crime to experience.

"People depend on their cars to go about their daily lives, to earn their livelihoods.

"We are keen to prevent these kinds of thefts from happening, whether that means those immediately responsible or yards such as this one, who aid and support them.

"If we are aware of any other scrap yards in the area acting in the same manner, they can expect a visit from us and other agencies."

Operation Hemlock also involved staff from the Environment Agency, the Department for Work and Pensions, Trading Standards and HM Customs and Excise.

Dave Eden, environmental crime team leader for the Environment Agency said: "It is a legal requirement when disposing of any vehicle to arrange safe de-pollution of the vehicle – we do not believe this was the case at these particular premises.

"We take environmental pollution very seriously and these arrests go to show just how successful multi-agency working can be."