West Bromwich police swoop in car crash con probe
[gallery] Expensive cars suspected of being involved in a fake accident insurance con were today discovered during a raid in West Bromwich.
Expensive cars suspected of being involved in a fake accident insurance con were today discovered during a raid in West Bromwich.
Around 25 police officers were involved in the dawn swoop on the industrial yard where a range of smashed cars were found.
A Mercedes CLS, BMW 1 series cars, Lexus SC luxury coupes as well as a Citroen taxi were among the models discovered.
Six marked police vans raided the yard, in John Street, today.
While expert dog handlers secured two bull mastiffs at the site, officers raided a property inside the yard which is undergoing renovation work.
The property had nobody inside despite police finding the lighting, heating and television on.
Officers however did find documents inside relating to accident claims in a number of names, and a suspected rifle. Weapons experts will establish later today if it is licensed.
West Bromwich Inspector Akeel Najib said: "This is the first step in a series of actions to tackle organised crime groups. No arrests have been made but we now have a number of lines of inquiry to pursue.
"We have intelligence that criminals operating here are involved in an insurance scam including potential fake accident claims.
"The message we want to send out is we will be pursuing organised criminals."
By Alex Homer
