A MAN from Dudley was arrested following a raid during an international police crackdown on mobile phone crime.

The 31-year-old suspect was arrested at an address on Bridgewater Crescent today (March 20) as a total of 5,000 officers swooped in the third phase of a co-ordinated operation across Europe.

Homes in Birmingham, Sandwell and Walsall were also raided followed information received from the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit.

All the suspects were questioned on suspicion of handling stolen goods, during the raids mobile phones, cash and computer equipment was seized.

Acting DI Matt Morgan, who led the West Midlands Police operation, said: "Ordinary members of the public are directly affected by these handlers’ activities because the mobiles are thought to have been obtained through burglaries, street robberies and vehicle crime.

"Mobiles are very desirable on the stolen property market, so what we’re trying to do is completely eliminate this particular means of converting stolen goods into cash.

"I want people who are involved this type of crime to know that we are closing-in on them and it’s only a matter of time before we find you."

The crackdown, called Operation Network, was launched in October 2012 and aims to raise awareness of mobile phone theft by encouraging people to register their phones and use tracker apps.

Mobile phone users should register handsets on the national property database www.immobilise.com, which helps police reunite owners with lost or stolen items.