A fugitive wanted for thefts from a notorious Nazi concentration camp has been arrested in Kirklees.

Police detained the man, wanted in the Czech Republic, when they stopped a car on the M62 near to the Birstall retail park.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police’s Safer Roads and Neighbourhood Support team arrested the 35-year-old man in connection with the theft of over 800 bronze plaques bearing the names of those that died at a Nazi concentration camp in the Czech Republic.

The man, a Czech national, was arrested after the Nissan Micra he was driving was stopped on the eastbound carriageway of the motorway.

The man’s details were run through the Police National Computer and officers discovered a European Arrest Warrant had been issued in connection with theft offences in the Czech Republic, which took place in 2008. he is now set to be extradited.

He is one of three being sought by the authorities in the Czech Republic in connection with the theft of 824 bronze name plaques that were stolen from graves in what is now a national cemetery in the town of Terezín.

The cemetery forms part of the infamous Theresienstadt concentration camp in which thousands of people died, including a high number of children.

Supt Pat Casserly said: ‘‘This was a comprehensive piece of police work that has led to a wanted man being taken into custody in connection with a very serious crime in another country for which he will now stand trial.

“I believe this man has lived in different parts of the UK for some time and his arrest in West Yorkshire demonstrates the professional approach our officers take to their job and I’m pleased we’ve been able to play a small part of the investigation into what was an appalling crime.’’