TWO men were arrested in Droitwich today on suspicion of stealing high value metal from their employer.

Officers from the Central Motorway Police Group arrested the men in the early hours on the A38 near the Chateau Impney hotel.

The pair, aged 39 and 24, are in custody while enquiries continue. Police stopped the Vauxhall car the men were in at about 4am and allegedly found several metal moulds, believed to be worth several thousand pounds.

A third man was arrested at a residential address in Droitwich this morning, in connection with theft from the same employer. A large quantity of cigarettes was also seized from the address.

The arrests are the latest in connection with Project Livewire, West Mercia Constabulary's campaign to tackle metal theft in the region.

Inspector Simon Westwood, patrol inspector from CMPG, said: "These latest arrests follow an intelligence-led operation. We will continue to focus on denying criminals use of the roads and specifically continue the ongoing campaign with regard to theft and transport of precious metals."

Project Livewire was launched last year and around 60 arrests have already been made in connection with metal theft.

The global price rise for certain metals such as lead and copper has led to an increase in crime across the UK. West Mercia Constabulary is working with partners such as CMPG and British Transport Police to trace offenders and is visiting scrap dealers to check records and encourage businesses to be correctly licensed.

Local churches and other vulnerable premises are also being sprayed with Smartwater in a bid to trace and recover stolen metal.