215 arrests in one month as police crack down on vehicle thefts

Since mid-March 215 individuals have been arrested in connection with vehicle thefts – 77 of whom were arrested after being found in stolen vehicles.

The figures were provided as an update to the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner's strategic policing and crime board meeting yesterday.

PCC David Jamieson asked West Midlands Police's deputy chief constable Louisa Rolfe for an update on vehicle theft, including the work underway with manufacturers to improve the security of their vehicles.

Ms Rolfe said the force had a clear plan in place for tackling vehicle crime, but said detectives are up against organised gangs who are exploiting young people and paying some nothing more than food.

Overall 692 suspects have been arrested as part of the Operation Cantil – with 509 of those arrested from stolen vehicles.

One hundred stolen vehicles have been recovered and £10 million pounds worth of property has been seized – including drugs and cash.

'Clear plan'

Ms Rolfe said: "We have got a very clear plan of how we tackle organised vehicle crime here.

"We have a lead in our Force CID team who is working closely with the intelligence department to identify a map of organised crime groups who we think might be behind the criminality driving up the theft of vehicles.

"We are seeking to address and dismantle the organised crime groups. Since the last update, we have arrested a further 215 individuals, with 77 of them directly arrested from stolen vehicles.

"Throughout the operation now, a total of 1,692 individuals have been arrested with 509 arrested from stolen vehicles. Over £10 million of assets have been seized including drugs, cash and stolen property.

"Since the last update over 100 stolen vehicles have been recovered. And in total, Operation Cantil has led to the recovery of 956 stolen vehicles.

"Through a ministerial group we influence the [car] manufacturers to address security.

"We are sharing the seized relay devices that might have been used to clone keys or to remotely start vehicles, so they can seek to design out the ability for people to use that kind of technology.

'Paid in food'

"A significant number of those are arrested stealing cars are quite young people.

"Some who have never been involved in crime before. They are being paid small amounts of money, some of them are even being paid in food. This is organised crime that is exploiting young people drawing them into criminal activity."

Mr Jamieson commended them for the work they are doing, adding: "Those are impressive numbers of arrests. The work we are doing with manufacturers is very much welcomed."