154 arrests as vehicle crime intensification week uncovers ‘world of criminality’

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said the activity coordinated across 37 police forces in England and Wales has “lifted the lid on the world of vehicle crime offenders”, tackling the problem from theft to ‘chop shop’ to export.

For the second year running, Operation Alliances, funded by the Home Office, brought together policing and partners, including the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP), coordination and intelligence development by Opal, policing’s national intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, and supported by the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS).

Vehicle crime rates fell by 12 per cent in 2024 with around 330,000 offences recorded by police, however, the NPCC says criminals are becoming “increasingly sophisticated” and work through Operation Alliances demonstrates the often highly organised groups behind this damaging crime type.

The 154 arrests made across the week covered a range of offences from theft to fraud and conspiracy to steal, but also included modern slavery and immigration crime.

A vehicle stop and the discovery of a luxury car bumper in the back, led officers from the Metropolitan Police Service to uncover a huge warehouse of stolen car parts totalling more than £300,000 and significant amounts of cash. Further investigations are ongoing but it is believed the offender/s could be responsible for more than £1 million worth of car thefts in the London area.

West Midlands Police officers joined with local partners to conduct an intelligence-led warrant and found an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of car parts across a number of storage units, as well as living quarters for workers on site. Stolen vehicles were recovered, along with many parts. In addition, two men were arrested on modern slavery offences.

Thirteen ‘chop shops’ were located by police forces, which are locations often used to dismantle stolen vehicles to sell or more easily export parts worth substantial amounts of money.

Forces conducted 92 warrants and searches, locating additional chop shops, scrap yards and holding places for stolen vehicles. Ninety-five intact suspected stolen vehicles were seized, including luxury cars, plant equipment and a number of motorcycles totalling more than £2 million (£2,046, 250) in value.

One chop shop also held a cannabis factory, weapons and controlled drugs were seized and around 60 numberplates, which are suspected to be used in avoiding detection by police and enforcement authorities.

Tools used to commit criminality were among other seizures, including underground cable detectors and signal jammers.

Police forces also undertook engagement activity with the local community, supporting individuals in protecting their vehicles from theft.

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Grahame, NPCC lead for vehicle crime, said: “Op Alliances is a fantastic example of the huge impact we can make when policing and partners work closely together to coordinate intelligence and take strategic action against the individuals causing harm to our communities.

“We know that vehicle crime seriously affects individuals, families and businesses who rely on their vehicles for transport and often to generate income. In policing we are making significant strides in tackling the offenders who commit these crimes and our ultimate goal is always to prevent it happening in the first place which is where our work with communities and manufacturers is so crucial.

“I’d like to thank all the police forces who took part in the week for their hard work and dedication which is demonstrated in these impressive results.”

Crime and Policing Minster, Sarah Jones, said: “Without a car or van, many people are unable to work, take their children to school or care for their loved ones. Vehicle theft is a devastating crime that leaves families completely stuck.

“As this operation has shown, it can often be linked to other serious criminality. That’s why we have boosted funding to support and sustain this enforcement activity, and are also bringing forward legislation to ban electronic devices used to steal vehicles.

“I commend the officers and teams involved for bringing so many criminals to justice during this intensification week and look forward to seeing this great work continue.”

Operation Alliances activity was enabled and enhanced by £275,000 dedicated funding from the Home Office, secured by the NVCRP. An additional £210,000 is being provided by the Home Office this financial year, totalling £485,000, to build on and further bolster these efforts to tackle vehicle crime.

Mark Kameen, who leads the NVCRP, said: “By securing and allocating these vital funds, the NVCRP was able to empower police forces across the country to take decisive action against organised vehicle crime in their communities. I was fortunate enough to join several operations and witness first-hand the professionalism, coordination and sheer impact of the week’s activity.

“The results clearly demonstrate what can be achieved when the right support and investment come together behind a common goal. It’s a powerful example of how targeted funding and strong partnerships can deliver real, tangible results in reducing vehicle crime.”

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Brummell, head of operations at Opal, said: “Sharing and coordinating intelligence is incredibly powerful and means we can get one step ahead of the increasingly sophisticated criminals undertaking vehicle crime.

“We know that vehicle crime is not an isolated offence and all too often the individuals involved will be linked to serious organised criminality, exploiting victims of modern slavery and using their networks to transport drugs and weapons, alongside stolen vehicles and parts.

“Through Op Alliances we send a strong message to these offenders that they cannot operate under the radar any longer and policing will find and bring them to justice.”

Sharon Naughton, head of NaVCIS, said Operation Alliances demonstrates the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise across policing and industry to be more effective at tackling vehicle and organised crime.

“This operation has reduced harm to the public through stripping illicit assets from criminals that would have been used to fund further criminality,” she added.

AA president Edmund King is said: “We support this campaign as protecting vehicles from thieves and targeting the criminals involved is important, not just for the car owners, but for everyone. The more we do to tackle vehicle crime, the more insurance premiums should fall.

“Closing chop shops, jailing signal jammers, stopping the sale of stolen parts and reuniting drivers with their stolen cars helps keep our roads and communities safe.

“This national campaign also highlights the wider beneficial impact of police officers on our roads in uncovering wider crime and why AA members want to see more traffic police on our streets.”