Leicestershire Police operation, codenamed Operation Henhouse, saw the force execute 18 warrants at multiple addresses across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. 20 arrested.

Leicestershire Police have made a significant dent in the fight against fraud, arresting 20 individuals and recovering over £250,000 worth of assets in a nationwide operation. The operation, codenamed "Henhouse," targeted a range of fraudulent activities, including romance fraud, investment fraud, and courier fraud, which have devastating impacts on victims.

Last month, the force executed 18 warrants across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, leading to the arrests. Additionally, three individuals were voluntarily interviewed in connection with the investigation. The haul of recovered assets, exceeding £250,000, included cash, jewelry, high-value vehicles, and designer clothing, representing the tangible fruits of the criminals' illicit activities.

The operation, supported by the National Economic Crime Centre's initiative, Operation Henhouse, aimed to bolster local forces' capacity to tackle the increasingly sophisticated nature of fraud. This initiative, managed in partnership with the City of London Police's Lead Force Operations Room, provided crucial funding to enable Leicestershire Police to conduct extensive operational activity.

Nicole McIntyre, from Leicestershire Police's Economic Crime Unit, highlighted the severity of the crimes targeted. "We have had an extremely busy month of enforcement to tackle offenders who target vulnerable individuals and businesses for their own financial gain," she stated. "Crimes such as romance fraud and courier fraud cause immense distress to those impacted – many of whom have lost hundreds and thousands of pounds of life savings at the hands of these criminals."

The complex nature of fraud investigations often requires collaboration with other forces and agencies, both nationally and internationally. McIntyre emphasised the importance of operations like Henhouse, which provide the necessary resources to carry out enforcement and bring perpetrators to justice.

The arrested individuals have either been bailed or released under investigation as enquiries continue. This underscores the ongoing commitment of Leicestershire Police to thoroughly investigate these crimes and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

The police also used this opportunity to remind the public about the increasing sophistication of fraud. They warned that criminals often impersonate trusted organizations to deceive individuals into giving up their money or personal information. The public are advised to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited contact, especially when it involves requests for financial information or payments.

This successful operation serves as a strong deterrent to potential fraudsters and demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated national efforts in combating economic crime. As investigations continue, Leicestershire Police remains dedicated to protecting its communities from the devastating consequences of fraud.