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LAG TAG 'SCAM' ARRESTS

Cops arrest eight new suspects in investigation into ankle tag bribery ring exposed by The Sun

Cons allegedly paid security firm staff to fit monitoring devices too loosely

COPS probing a major tagging bribery ring revealed by The Sun have made eight new arrests.

Detectives swooped on the suspects — all men — after we told how cons had allegedly paid £400 each to Capita workers to fit the tags too loosely.

 Police are investigating 25 people after The Sun exposed an ankle tag bribery ring
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Police are investigating 25 people after The Sun exposed an ankle tag bribery ringCredit: Alamy

The alleged scam meant former lags, all on nighttime curfews, could slip out of the ankle bracelets, fooling monitors into thinking they were still at home.

But it was rumbled after one offender was nicked for attempted murder when he was meant to be at his own address.

In February Justice Secretary Liz Truss demanded answers from Capita bosses over the scandal.

 How security staff allegedly let the cons loose
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How security staff allegedly let the cons loose

And Tory MP Bob Neill, chairman of the Justice Select Committee, called for a freeze on all future government contracts with Capita until the probe was complete.

The firm has a £400 million government deal to tag and monitor offenders.

The new arrests bring the total number of people now investigated by police to 25.

Of those, 22 have been arrested, with three other men quizzed under caution but not arrested.

Six of the suspects were arrested in April, with two others nicked in February.

Fourteen others were held in January, including two current Capita staff.

 Justice Secretary Liz Truss demanded answers from Capita after The Sun exposed the scam
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Justice Secretary Liz Truss demanded answers from Capita after The Sun exposed the scamCredit: PA:Press Association

One of the workers, a woman aged 57, has been since been released with no further action.

The suspects also include a former Capita worker, Martin Crean, 46, of Romford, Essex.

All are believed to have been held over offences including perverting the course of justice.

Fifteen suspects have been bailed to dates in June.

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