SEVEN men have been arrested in a dawn raid involving almost 80 police officers.

The seven were arrested across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire this morning on suspicion of breaking into properties and smashing open safes.

It is estimated that damage to properties, combined with cash and valuables taken, amounted to a total of £1 million.

If the gang could not get into the safes they would attach straps to a tow bar of a vehicle and tow it off its mountings to somewhere they could be prised open

There were also incidents where suspects have taken out whole walls to get to a safe, causing massive amounts of damage. 

It is believed a gang targeted properties across the South West and as far north as the West Midlands, police said.

Addresses in Calne, Brinkworth, near Swindon, and Willows Lane in Gloucester were targeted in the raids.

The seven were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.

Detective inspector Paul Franklin, the officer of the raid in charge from Wiltshire Police, said: "After months of work, across three counties and three forces, we see this as a major, positive result - arresting key members of a gang who, we believe, prolifically raided properties and stole large amounts of cash and valuables.

"Also, in many cases, they caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to these properties.

"Today is a major success for Wiltshire Police, which lead the operation, and also for our colleagues in Gloucestershire and Thames Valley - this is a culmination of hours of hard work for the many involved in Operation Keel."