A £500,000 estimate of items related to crime - including 250 cases of Prosecco and 67 cases of white wine - has been given by police after searching a traveller site at Cricklade.

Police went to Bournelake Residential site on Wednesday last week with a warrant under the Theft Act.

A team of over 25 officers including support from the Police dog section searched the site.

A spokesman said today: "We can confirm that 56 transformers were located which are believed to have been stolen during a burglary in Calne on Sunday, November 9.

"A significant amount of cash was seized along with a mini digger and a large amount of industrial tools, 14 vehicles including lorries and cars, over 250 cases of Prosecco and 67 cases of white wine.

"A catalytic converter processing unit was also uncovered in which stolen CATs were stripped for their precious metals and sold.

"The total value of items seized that were either stolen or used in crime is estimated at over £500,000 at this early stage of the investigation. There is potential for this figure to rise significantly as our enquiries progress."

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers seized around 3,000 litres of suspected illicit fuel from the site, along with a quantity of fuel storage containers.

HMRC officers discovered nine vehicles running on red diesel, all of which were seized in relation to police or customs offences.

Detectives are continuing to work with surrounding forces, HMRC and other agencies as part of this investigation.

A 32-year-old local woman has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Andrew Burgoyne, Senior Officer of the HMRC's South West Road Fuel Testing Unit, said: “The success of multi-agency working is crucial to tackling fuel fraud.

"Anyone with information about the use, production, storage or sale of illicit fuel should contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”