Police have made several arrests, shut down a chop shop, and recovered stolen vehicles in a significant crackdown on vehicle theft across Dudley, Sandwell, and Wolverhampton.
The operation, which began in the early hours, resulted in six suspected car thieves, aged between 18 and 29, being taken into custody. A seventh individual was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer. All suspects are believed to be connected to vehicle thefts spanning Dudley, Sandwell, Birmingham, Telford, and Staffordshire.
During one arrest, officers recovered a stolen vehicle, while in a separate incident, a stolen black Land Rover led officers to an industrial estate off Watery Lane in Wolverhampton. At the location, police uncovered a chop shop containing the stolen vehicle, which has since been recovered.
Further action at the site saw another vehicle leaving the area stopped by officers. Three occupants, aged 20, 25, and 37, were arrested on suspicion of motor vehicle theft. Additional charges included possession of Class B drugs for the 37-year-old and possession of an offensive weapon for the 20-year-old. All three remain in custody for questioning as investigations continue.
Dudley Priority Crime Team Inspector Gavin Peever highlighted the rise in “keyless” vehicle thefts and stressed the importance of crime prevention measures. He advised the public to use Faraday pouches to block signal relays, a common tactic employed by car thieves.
Inspector Peever said: “We are running targeted operations to identify suspects, gather intelligence, and bring offenders to justice. Today’s day of action is part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt those involved in vehicle crime.”
Police investigations at the chop shop are ongoing, and officers continue to engage with the public, providing tips to deter car thieves and safeguard vehicles.