Chop shop unearthed after police officers spot suspicious vehicle in Dudley
A number of stolen vehicles were recovered after police officers discovered a chop shop on a yard in Lye.
The vehicles were discovered on the yard next to Church Street after officers from West Midlands Police found a car linked to criminal activity while out on patrol on Sunday.
The officers, from Operation Guardian, found the car next to the yard and, upon closer inspection, found a number of cars in the yard which had been reported as stolen and which had been partially stripped.
A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and the force said he had been bailed while investigations continue.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "A chop shop has been discovered in Dudley after officers’ interests were piqued when they spotted a car linked to criminal activity.
"Our Operation Guardian team were on patrol in the Lye area on Sunday, shortly before 1pm, when they found the vehicle on Church Street, next to a yard.
"A closer inspection of the premises found multiple stolen vehicles that had been reported stolen from around the Midlands and wider area.
"The vehicles had all been partially stripped, some with parts of the engines removed.
"A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
"He has since been bailed while our investigation continues.
"Operation Guardian is a specialist taskforce which tackles knife crime and youth violence.
"There is particular emphasis on reducing knife crime, through a range of tactics from plain-clothed operations to high visibility patrols.
"Anyone with any information that could help our officers with their enquiries is asked to call 101 or use the Live Chat option via our website quoting incident number 1259 of 18 January.
"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
