10:29pm Wednesday 11th June 2008
By Steve Wright
Two people have been arrested following raids on properties in Keighley and Bradford as part of a police probe into an alleged cash for crash' fraud.
The men, aged 24 and 25, were arrested by officers from West Yorkshire Police on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.
A significant quantity of suspected drugs, an imitation firearm, cash and documentation were found at the five properties during yesterday's operation.
Detective Inspector Peter Craig, who is leading the investigation, said: "The warrants were part of an ongoing investigation into organised crime involving local gangs. Part of this inquiry is focusing on so called cash for crash' and has uncovered large-scale fraud involving contrived motor vehicle insurance claims and money laundering.
"The action should reassure the community that these criminal networks are being dismantled."
Twenty-one police officers from Airedale and North Bradford CID worked with representatives from the Insurance Fraud Bureau and the Ministry of Justice.
Anyone with any information concerning criminal activity in Airedale and North Bradford should contact Keighley CID on 0845 60 60 606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Officers are pictured conducting the raids, top, and leading away a suspect, right.
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