Three arrested in “chop shop” day of action.

Last week Redcar & Cleveland NPTs led a successful multi-agency operation to address a recent rise in vehicle thefts.

Operation Recovery was in response to the district seeing an unusual new trend of untaxed, uninsured or even unroadworthy vehicles being stolen - with the aid of recovery trucks. 

Twelve vehicles have been stolen in the last six months by this method.

Many of the thefts have taken place in broad daylight and several include vehicles being removed from driveways. 

The recovery trucks themselves are often older models which are bought and sold between apparent recovery firms on social media, frequently via cash transactions.

Officers believe the stolen cars, vans and even caravans are then taken to so-called chop-shops – lockups, units or garages where they’re “chopped down” and dismantled for parts or weighed in at scrap merchants.

Assisted by colleagues from across the force including Special Constabulary, external partners from the local authority DVLA enforcement team and the DVSA, the day saw a vehicle checkpoint set up on the outskirts of Marske as well as district-wide mobile patrols by the new Matrix Team.

Several recovery type vehicles were stopped by officers to allow for documentation checks, whilst a further four were directed into the DVSA checkpoint at Longbeck Nursery due to concerns around their conditions.

All four of these had defects which needed to be rectified immediately.

Three men (28, 45 and 68) were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to steal motor vehicles.  They were interviewed then bailed pending further enquiries.

And a suspected stolen car was seized; officers are conducting further enquiries to identify where it’s from and who owns it.

Operation Recovery co-ordinator Sergeant Chris Turner said: “I’d like to thank my colleagues from across the force and our partner agencies, as well as Longbeck Nursery who allowed us to use their car park for the DVSA examinations.

“Everyone played a vital role in ensuring the success of this operation.”

Redcar & Cleveland NPT Chief Inspector Jon Hagen added: “Through our highly visible presence we were able to reassure our communities that police and other authorities are listening to their concerns and acting on the information they provide.

“I’d like to thank them for their ongoing support as we continue to deal with this issue.”

Chief Inspector Hagen reminded residents that they can pass concerns or information about vehicle thefts or unsafe or illegal vehicles to Cleveland Police online via the force website, the COPA app or by phoning 101.

If you don’t want to speak to police, you can pass information anonymously to www.crimestoppers-uk.org or phone them on 0800 555 111.