STOLEN property worth £3,000 has been seized in the biggest raid so far by Swindon's new burglary squad.

The haul was discovered at a house in Penhill by officers on Operation Delta.

The goods are mainly power tools taken from sheds and garages and items stolen from department stores.

Among them are a Bosch sander, a Black and Decker disc cutter and an unused Craftline paint sprayer.

A camera, a Zag powertool case containing fishing equipment, a Columbus electric guitar, watches and several bags of clothing stolen from stores such as Next, BHS and Marks and Spencer were also found.

A 58-year-old man, who was in the house at the time of the raid, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

He has been released on police bail until September 19 while further investigations are carried out.

Officers are now hunting three burglars they believe were responsible for stealing the goods.

The three, police say, are all heroin addicts who steal to feed their habits.

The raid was planned following a tip-off left on the anonymous Crimestoppers line and information from intelligence gathering.

Det Con Lisa Mundy, who was in charge of the raid, said that the operation demonstrated that the new unit meant business.

She said: "We have got off to a really good start.

"Since the unit was formed at the end of July we have reduced burglary rates by 22 per cent.

"We intend to carry on in the same vein.

"If we hadn't seized the goods, they would have been sold through second-hand dealers or other handlers.

"We are now hoping to give the property back to the owners." Operation Delta, which includes 17 officers, was launched in a bid to reverse rising burglary rates in the borough.

Since February, household burglaries in Swindon have increased from around 70 each month to 100.

Although the figures are below the national average, officers are still concerned at the rise.

Police believe that the majority of offenders are heroin or crack cocaine addicts who have recently been released from prison.

So far, the squad has arrested and charged around 20 suspects and raided six properties.

In one raid, property valued at £1,000 was discovered, as well as £1,500 worth of heroin.

Officers have access to the latest advances in crime fighting technology, and are planning a series of complex surveillance operations.

Householders who recognise the property seized in the latest raid, which took place last Thursday, should call Swindon police on 528111.

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111.