Police recovered nearly 3,000 items in the car boot

Thousands of pounds worth of chocolate and confectionery hidden in a car have been recovered by police. On February 20, Cambridgeshire Police officers on patrol noticed a black Audi A3 travelling through Longstanton with no working brake lights.

Officers spoke to the driver and he claimed he was on his way to Cambridge to get them repaired. Checks on the vehicle raised suspicions, as it was registered to an address in London but insured to a driver from Dorset.

Officers followed the Audi as it travelled towards Huntingdon and stopped on Huntingdon Road in Fenstanton. Inside the boot, officers found three bin bags containing 1,032 suspected stolen items including 716 packets of chewing gum, 190 chocolate bars, Easter eggs and assorted boxes of chocolates.

The driver, a 37-year-old man, and the passenger, a 40-year-old woman, both from Edgware, were arrested on suspicion of theft. A further search of their London home uncovered an additional 1,055 chocolate bars, 621 packets of chewing gum, protein bars, cleaning products, clothing and other items.

In total, 2,956 items were recovered, valued at more than £7,000. The pair have been bailed until May 20 with conditions not to enter Cambridgeshire.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Rob Taylor said: “Organised crime doesn’t always look how people might expect. It can involve everyday goods such as chocolate and other retail products being stolen and then sold on for profit. These offences can have a significant impact on businesses and the wider community and we will continue to pursue those involved.”

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