A scrapyard boss has spoken of his ‘total surprise’ after police raided his business during an investigation into vehicle thefts.

Around 100 officers from Lancashire Police and West Yorkshire Police executed warrants at Tom Smith Commercials Ltd, on Meadow Street in Great Harwood , and Alf Kyme Van breakers Ltd, on Blackwood Street in Stacksteads, last month.

The only two men arrested in connection with the raid at the Alf Kyme site have now been released from police bail and eliminated from the investigation and police confirmed no action will be taken against the Stacksteads firm.

Director David Kyme said: “This was a total surprise raid as we are fully licensed and authorised treatment facility for end of life vehicles.

“We also issue certificates of destruction for vehicles being brought onto our premises.

“The police and council also have a open licence to search our premises at any time without a warrant.

“A thorough search of our premises was carried out over two days by the West Yorkshire and Lancashire Police leaving no stone unturned and nothing untoward was found.

“The police have now confirmed in writing that no charges or further action will be taken against the company or its directors.

“We would like to think that our good reputation is still intact and our customers will be dealt with by honest, reliable, hard-working people trying to improve the environment by disposing of their scrap vehicles economically and efficiently.”

West Yorkshire Police said nine people had been arrested, questioned and released on police bail until after Easter following the raids.

A spokesperson said: “Two of those, a 50-year-old man and 45-year-old man, have been released from police bail and will have no further action taken against them at this time.”