POLICE mounted a massive dawn raid on an unlicensed scrapyard in the Fens today. A man in his 50s, believed to be the owner of the business, was arrested as officers wearing riot gear stormed a bungalow at Wheatley Bank, near Wisbech. Once the premises wa

POLICE mounted a massive dawn raid on an unlicensed scrapyard in the Fens today.

A man in his 50s, believed to be the owner of the business, was arrested as officers wearing riot gear stormed a bungalow at Wheatley Bank, near Wisbech.

Once the premises was secure, a major search began involving police vehicle examiners, along with officials from the Environment Agency, Customs and Excise, the Health and Safety Executive, and trading standards.

Det Sgt Pete Jessop, part of Norfolk police's Operation Radar team, which targets rogue traders, said: "The purpose of today's operation was to come onto the site and have a look at a guy who's been running the site without the relevant authority from King's Lynn and West Norfolk council since 2006.

"One person's been arrested as a result of the raid. He'll be remaining in custody while a thorough examination of the site takes place."

Rita Penman from the Environment Agency said: "The site's not registered. We have been trying to work with them to get the site up and running properly, we always do that before we take enforcement action.

"A waste site needs to be properly regulated, they need permits, licenses and that sort of thing. They also need planning permission, which they don't have either."

A second man was arrested as he arrived at the scrapyard. Both have been taken to King's Lynn police station for questioning.

At least 400 cars and vans are being stored behind the bungalow, where they are being cut up for scrap and parts. They range from hatchbacks to performance and luxury models.

A mobile police office was delivered to the site, while officers began enquiries to trace and identify the vehicles, which stretch for almost a quarter of a mile from Wheatley Bank to the A47 Wisbech Bypass.