Stolen cars broken up in Staffordshire 'chop shop'

Police, acting on intelligence, raided a site on Overton Lane in Burntwood yesterday morning and found a stolen Ford Fiesta, a number of transit vans and various vehicle parts.

All of the vehicles have been seized while forensic enquiries continue.

'Chop shops' are known as places where suspected stolen cars are taken to be broken down and stripped for parts.

Chief Inspector Mark Smith, Commander for Lichfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “In recent months there has been an upward trend of car thefts across the county, particularly car key burglaries of high-end vehicles.

“By taking out suspected chop shops, we can make a real impact and disrupt the criminal activity surrounding them.

"Often parts from stolen vehicles are used to repair a car that’s been written off by an insurance company and bought by the chop shop owners to sell on.

"If the parts aren’t used for repairs, serial numbers are removed, and they are sold online to unsuspecting buyers, who are unaware that the parts they are purchasing are actually stolen.

“We would urge anyone who thinks they know where stolen cars are being handled or dismantled to get in touch.”

People with information on chop shops can call 101 or send a direct message to Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.