Police looking to locate owners of stolen dogs after more than 80 pets were found by officers

A large deployment of officers – assisted by partner agencies - attended West Meadows in Suffolk on Saturday 20 March, and executed a number of search warrants at the location as part of an investigation into a series of dog thefts.

Officers were present at the site for almost 10 hours as they conducted thorough searches and as a result they recovered 83 dogs of various breeds and ages, which are suspected to be have been stolen.

Officers have been working today to identify the owners of the dogs as quickly as they can, primarily through the use of scanning them for microchips in the first instance.

This work is ongoing and will involve liaison with other police forces, as many of the dogs are suspected to have been stolen from outside of Suffolk.

Detectives would like to reassure all those people who have contacted Suffolk Police today to enquire as to whether their dog has been recovered, that everyone’s call or email will be acknowledged if it has not been already.

Officers are aware that many people will be anxious to know if their dog has been recovered and politely ask for victims to bear with them as they expedite these enquiries.

Anyone who may have information regarding dog thefts is asked to contact South CID at Landmark House in Ipswich, quoting reference: 13719/21.

For more information visit www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update

A 38-year-old man, two 34-year-old men and three women aged 46, 41 and 35 - who are all from Ipswich - were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal following this operation.

They were all taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and have subsequently been released on bail until Friday 16 April pending further enquiries.