Stolen scrap raids launched

Police teams raided scrap yards in Birmingham in a crackdown on stolen vehicles.

About 60 officers from West Midlands Police made up six target teams as part of the Safer Motors campaign.

The officers were on the lookout for stolen vehicles and parts - the raids followed officers gathering evidence to suggest that stolen vehicles may be present.

Police were assisted by council officers who checked whether the scrap yards were legally registered.

A force spokesman said Tuesday's operation was the first of its kind in the West Midlands to target the market in stolen vehicles and parts.

'Acquiring stolen goods'

West Midlands Police said that only 48% of vehicles stolen in Birmingham are recovered and returned to their owners.

The rest are found burnt out, abandoned or are sold on.

Detective Chief Inspector Laurie Dyer said: "There are yards in the city that fully comply with local authority legislation and even though we will be visiting several yards it doesn't mean that they are all involved in dealing with stolen items.

"We have information that some yards are the end location for a number of stolen vehicles in the West Midlands and there is the potential to seize thousands of pounds worth of stolen vehicles and parts.

"People who visit scrap yards to find a bargain should be aware they may be acquiring stolen goods, which is a criminal offence, and, more importantly, these goods may not be up to standard and therefore unsafe."

Safer Motors is a West Midlands Police initiative to reduce vehicle crime which saw a 5% reduction in such offences in September.