Police arrest 45 in stolen goods sting

Police made 45 arrests and recovered more than pounds 100,000 worth of property yesterday at the culmination of an exercise in which they opened a fake second-hand shop and bought stolen goods from burglars.

Ian Blair, assistant chief constable of Thames Valley Police, said thieves were filmed at the east Oxford shop as they sold stolen property to undercover detectives. "It was a tremendous effort, and very brave, dealing with people who could be pretty nasty if they found out who you were," he said.

"This was an innovative approach by police to strike fear among burglars. They don't know what will happen next."