THREE men have been arrested in connection with an investigation into £1million worth of cable thefts which caused significant damage.

Police are investigating 25 thefts which took place in rural areas of north and west Essex, as well as Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

In total, about £1million worth of cable was reportedly stolen from sites.

This morning, warrants were executed at a number of properties in Stondon Massey shortly after 6am.

Gazette: Police issued three arrests warrants this morning (Picture: Essex Police)Police issued three arrests warrants this morning (Picture: Essex Police) (Image: Essex Police)

Gazette: Three men were arrested (Picture: Essex Police)Three men were arrested (Picture: Essex Police) (Image: Essex Police)

Gazette: The warrants were made in Stondon Massey (Picture: Essex Police)The warrants were made in Stondon Massey (Picture: Essex Police) (Image: Essex Police)

Three men, aged 20, 21 and 41 have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal and have been taken into custody.

Detective Inspector Frazer Low, who is leading the investigation, said: “This morning, we executed warrants in Stondon Massey and arrested three people.

“They remain in custody for questioning.

“The investigation has been detailed and has required the team of specialist officers to follow a number of lines of enquiry. This morning’s work is culmination of a lot of hard work.

“Cable thefts greatly impact communities with services such as phones and broadband being cut off until repairs can be made, and the perpetrators of such crimes have no regard for the harm these activities cause to the public and to businesses.”