Detectives are investigating at least 37 high-value burglaries across the UK, including Alderley Edge
Homes were raised in connection with a million-pound burglary sprees at homes in wealthy Cheshire suburbs like Alderley Edge and Prestbury.
On Wednesday morning (July 2), over 30 officers from Cheshire Police stormed three addresses in Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham.
Three Albanian men, aged 27, 28 and 30, were arrested along with a 33-year-old British woman. They were taken into custody to be questioned having been held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.
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The raids involved officers from Macclesfield CID, the Cheshire Constabulary Serious and Organised Crime Unit and officers from Staffordshire Police, Derbyshire Police and Nottinghamshire Police.
Cheshire Police said the arrests formed part of Operation Ambler, an ongoing operation led by detectives at Macclesfield CID into at least 37 high value burglaries across the UK which occurred between October 2024 and March 2025.
They include ten burglaries in Cheshire along with others in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Durham, Cleveland, West Mercia and Warwickshire.
The properties targeted in Cheshire include homes in Alderley Edge, Prestbury, Macclesfield, Disley, Weston, Willaston and Whitegate, police said.
All of the burglaries involved high value residential premises and the total value of the items stolen is believed to be more than £1 million.
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Detective Sergeant Laura Fox, of Macclesfield CID, who has led the operation said: “Today’s raids are the culmination of detailed investigations across multiple forces brought together into at least thirty-seven high value burglaries spread over a six-month period.
“Our investigation has shown us that these incidents have been carefully planned and coordinated, and they’ve gone to great lengths to continue their crime spree across the country.
“On each occasion the offenders have specifically targeted high value properties, breaking in via first floor windows and doors, and ransacking the premises to steal as much as possible.
“In total we believe that the value of the items stolen in the burglaries was more than £1 million, which includes more than £400,000 from the ten homes in Cheshire.
“I hope that today’s arrests provide some reassurance to the victims in the case and also act as a warning to other offenders who are thinking of targeting Cheshire.”
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