A GROUP of men have been arrested by police following a smash and grab raid on a builders' merchant's premises in Widnes.
The incident happened on Wednesday night when there was a break-in at Allbuild site on the Waterloo Industrial Estate, West Bank.
A Mercedes crane vehicle was stolen in the raid.
It was loaded with £1,000 worth of building materials, which were also taken.
The total value of the haul was in excess of £40,000.
The thieves then smashed their way back out through the gates of the yard to make their escape, destroying the gates in the process and causing a further, considerable amount of damage.
The vehicle was recovered in St Helen's the following day, and five people were arrested by Widnes Police in connection with the theft.
Mike Heaton, manager at Allbuild, said it was not the first time the company's site had been targeted by criminals, although this was the most costly incident.
"We have had a recent spate of thefts over the last few months," he said.
"The Board of directors are delighted that the police have been able to make arrests within days."
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