DATATAG’S POLICE LIAISON TEAM HELP FOIL A LANCASHIRE GANG, RESULTING IN CONVICTIONS FOR THREE CAREER CRIMINALS FOR PLANT THEFT

Datatag Police Liaison Team were instrumental in the investigation in the Lancashire Police Force’s 'Operation North Star', where three offenders received a combined custodial sentence of a total of almost 23 years, for their part in the £1.3m plant theft heist. Four other men were handed suspended jail sentences at Preston Crown Court earlier this week.

The career criminals, a notorious gang from the Lancashire town of Nelson, stole 46 plant machines, worth approximately £1.3 million and sold them on to buyers across Europe and as far away as Australia.

Those who went on to purchase the machines believed they were buying from legitimate businesses and only became aware they had bought stolen goods when the equipment was seized as part of the police investigation aided by the Datatag Police Liaison Team.

The gang modified 46 stolen machines to hide identification numbers at an industrial unit in Nelson, Lancashire, between 2015 and 2018.

The Datatag Police Liaison Team (PLT) is a key link between the Datatag team and Police across the UK

A spokesperson for Datatag ID Ltd said:

“Over the last three decades Datatag has established itself as one of the leading companies tackling organised crime and proving beyond doubt the true identity of a vehicle – it’s critical for our world-class Police Liaison & Training Officers to continually support Police & Law Enforcement around the UK, Europe, and the World.” This conviction is a testament to the importance of the PLTs' close links with the police. To achieve a substantial custodial sentence for Plant theft acts as a strong message and hopefully, a deterrent, for other criminal gangs.”

Date Created: 10/03/2023