Nearly 1,200 people have been arrested by West Midlands Police since April in connection to vehicle crime.
Offences included theft of a vehicle, stealing from a vehicle and aggravated vehicle taking. The region’s police service has dedicated teams in each of its seven local policing areas to investigate the crimes.
Recent Arrests
Earlier this month, six men were arrested after officers traced a suspected stolen vehicle to a premises in Wolverhampton. On Monday, two men aged 26 and 32 were arrested on suspicion of theft after two suspected stolen bikes were recovered in Tipton.
A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal vehicles, and a 37-year-old man on suspicion of vehicle theft after a report of an Audi driving around Cosely. Officers spotted the car on Flavell Avenue; a search found tools, false number plates and gloves.
All four men in Sandwell and Dudley have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Wider approach
The force acts on information received and carries out targeted activity.
Due to the central location and motorway links here in the midlands, the force woks with other forces, as well as bodies including the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) and the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP) to effectively share intelligence and coordinate its response.
It also works with drivers and manufacturers on crime prevention advice.
Prevention advice
The force sets out four main forms of preventing vehicle crime:
- Lock it: Make sure the vehicle locks properly when using the key fob
- Check it: Look for signs that the car has locked, such as flashing lights, folding mirrors or retracting door handles; if not use the physical emergency key or the cars app.
- Accept it: Accept software and firmware updates via the infotainment system, following the manufacturers instructions.
- Layer up: use a police-accredited steering lock, make sure CCTV or a doorbell camera covers where the car is parked, and keep keys in a signal-blocking pouch.
Anyone who notices suspicious activity should contact the force via 101 or Live Chat on its website. Descriptions of Vehicles used to commit crime, especially registration plates, are particularly helpful.
