WATCH: Take a look around an Aladdin's cave of stolen loot seized in Black Country drugs raids

High-spec bicycles, a CCTV camera and angle grinders were among thousands of pounds worth of seized stolen loot that went on display in the Black Country.

Published

Police transformed the Hope Church hall in Marsh Lane, West Bromwich, into an Aladdin's cave of property recovered during a blitz on crime in Sandwell.

The items were taken from the homes of criminals during Operation Safer Six, a crackdown on suspected drug dealers and associated crime across the borough.

An electric powered bicycle
An electric powered bicycle

Following the completion of the raids more than 35 victims of crime had possessions such as jewellery and laptops returned to them, but around 50 items remained unclaimed.

Police are now calling on victims to come forward so they can return the goods to their rightful owners.

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Chief Inspector Jayne Parry, said: "We've done our very best to trace the owners of the valuables by checking crime reports and searching the national property database , but there are some pieces we are yet to reunite with the owner, despite our best efforts.

"Following the success of Operation Safer Six it is important for us to help people to get their property back."

Various tools, including angle grinders
Various tools, including angle grinders

There were more than a dozen bikes on display on Saturday, including an an electric-powered mountain bike worth around £2,000.

Fishing rods and tackle worth more than £1,000 was also on show, along with a vast haul of tools including an angle grinder, drill kits and sanders.

A CCTV camera
A CCTV camera

Tables were laid out featuring sat nav devices, a CCTV camera and computer gear taken in by police, and there was also a whole range of gardening equipment.

A chipper/shredder still lies unclaimed, as do several strimmers, a lawnmower and musical equipment including an electric guitar and a set of amplifiers.

Just some of the stolen items
Just some of the stolen items

Police estimate the total value of the goods on display to be in excess of £10,000.

During the day a steady stream of people came to view the exhibits, with many more able to view them online via social media.

Stolen bikes and a guitar
Stolen bikes and a guitar

Jason Green, who works in construction, said he came to see if any tools that were stolen from his works van last year were among the items on view.

"They broke in while the van was parked up overnight and I lost a good few thousand pounds worth of stuff," said Mr Green, 47, from West Bromwich.

"There was nothing here of mine but it was worth coming to have a look around."

Chief Inspector Parry said that a lot of the items were taken by criminals who steal to fund their addiction to drugs.

She said the items are often stolen during burglaries and then sold on to drug dealers in exchange for cocaine or heroin.

"We are committed to tackling crime in Sandwell that is fuelled by drug addiction," she added.

"This year we have 200 less victims of crime than at the same time in 2014, and we expect to build on that.

"In April we also posted the lowest rate of burglaries since records began a decade ago."

During Operation Safer Six a total of 65 people were arrested, 56 of whom were charged and brought before the courts.

Three remain on bail and one faces no further action meaning 52 are remanded in custody pending trial.

They have been charged with a range of offences including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, possession of Class A drugs and handling stolen goods.

Chief Inspector Parry said it is still not too late for victims of crime to come forward and claim their items.

"Anyone who wasn't able to make it to the event can still take a look at the property through a video on Twitter," she said.

Property that remains unclaimed will be sold off under the Police Property Act, with proceeds directed back to charities and community projects.

Valuables can be registered for free on the national police property database immobilise.com.

Police check the database when they recover property, meaning lost or stolen items can be returned to their owner.