POLICE arrested a 46-year-old man in Ely on Thursday following an undercover raid on a cash-for-gold shop.

Plain clothes officers entered the Ely Gold Buying Centre on Market Street shortly before 2pm, acting on information received from members of the public and community support officers, whose suspicions were raised on several visits to the premises.

Officers confirmed that they had seized a 10-15 items of gold and silver jewellery as well as almost �500 in cash, with a 46-year-old man, from Downham Market, arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

The man was taken to Parkside Police Station in Cambridge for questioning.

Detective Sergeant John Yore, said: “There has been a slight increase in dwelling burglaries in the area with gold as a particular target.

“As a result of a local inquiries into this matter a woman came forwards who was the victim of a theft who gave officers reason to believe stolen jewellery was being moved and converted into cash through this gold store.

“Needless to say we will not tolerate burglaries and people who turn the stolen property into cash. Today’s efforts were the first stage in an ongoing inquiry into the handling of stolen property locally.”