VIDEO: Police raid properties in Irthlingborough and Wellingborough for stolen goods

The raids were part of an operation following a spate of shed break-ins in the area, including in Irthlingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Raunds.

About 22 people were involved, including officers from the safer community teams for Rushden and Higham Ferrers, Oundle and Thrapston, and East Northants, as well as the cross border team and Trading Standards.

Four teams of officers were dispatched to their different locations just before 10am, including two premises next to each other in the High Street in Irthlingborough.

With no-one at either premises, the doors were forced open and the police went inside.

Searches were carried out at both sites, but nothing was found at the barbers.

But on entering the shop next door, officers discovered a large number of power tools which they believe may be stolen.

Further items which may also have been stolen were discovered in two sheds behind the shop.

All of these items will now be recorded and taken away as part of the investigation into the spate of break-ins.

PC Ivan Bentley, who was leading this morning’s operation, said the shop was like ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ and added: “There has been a disproportionate number of shed break-ins recently so I really wanted to do this.

“We had the intelligence to back it up and it looks like it has paid off.”

Tools found in the shop included brands such as Makita, Bosch and Dewalt.

PC Bentley added: “We are hoping to get some stolen items back to their owners.”

A team has been working on this operation for about six weeks prior to today’s warrants, gathering and piecing together information which could lead them to finding those responsible for the break-ins.

No arrests have been made so far.

To read more about the break-ins, which started in January, click here