Three men have been arrested and a large quantity of suspected stolen metal seized after police raided a scrap metal yard.

Officers from Croydon police, along with officers from the Met Police's territorial Support Group and Dog Section, raided a scrap metal yard in Bensham Lane, Croydon, yesterday morning as part of Operation Ferrous, an operation to tackle metal theft.

Police carried out a search of the premises after receiving intelligence stolen metal was being accepted at the site.

They uncovered a number of items believed to have been stolen, including a large quantity of personal memorial plaques, believed to have been stolen from a cemetery, as well as a bronze statue of Christ.

Officers also seized a large bronze statue of a dragon and approximately £20,000 in cash.

Staff from Trading Standards, BT and Smartwater also assisted in the raid to help identify any potential stolen metals, cables and items that had been marked with Smartwater.

Three men, aged 69, 28 and 50, were all arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and are currently in custody at a south London Police station.

Sergeant George Shannon, who is leading Operation Ferris said: "The raid in Croydon is part of a nationwide crack down on metal theft.

"We received intelligence this scrap metal dealer was handling stolen metal and we've recovered a large number of items today that we believe to be stolen.

"Scrap metal dealers have a responsibility to check the metal coming into their yards and those that don't keep the correct records of the people they're trading with or who are happy to receive stolen metal can expect a visit from us.

"We will be checking and if you are found with stolen metal, then expect to be put in front of the courts."