Proactive police raids led to a man being arrested and suspected stolen car parts being seized as Nottinghamshire Police continues its blitz on organised car crime.
Officers carried out three warrants on Monday morning (1 November 2021) acting on intelligence that stolen car parts were being sold on an online marketplace website.
Searches were carried out at properties in Greasley Street, Bulwell, Meering Avenue, Newark and Wycliffe Street, Basford.
As a result of the positive police action a 52-year-old man was detained in Greasley Street on suspicion of handling stolen goods, conspiring to receive stolen goods and money laundering.
A number of high-value vehicle parts, suspected to have been stolen, were recovered along with cash, paperwork and other items as detectives progress with their enquiries.
It is the latest example of the force’s determination to crack down on organised car crime. Previous operations this year have included the discovery of a suspected ‘chop shop’ in Bilborough.
A chop shop is a place where stolen cars are broken down into parts, which are either added to other cars or sold, often on online marketplace websites.
Dismantled pieces of cars and vans were found in garages in Bilborough and two suspects were arrested after raids on three properties in May.
Detective Sergeant Nigel Malik, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The force’s ongoing operations to tackle organised vehicle crime show how seriously it treats this issue and its determination to do everything it can to disrupt people who look to profit from their illegal enterprise.
“The use of chop shops is clearly something we want to tackle as part of our work to disrupt the market for stolen cars. We know what an impact it has on someone when their car is stolen, which is why we work together with other forces to take robust action when there is information about a stolen vehicle.
“Members of the public can play a big part in helping us tackle this type of crime. We encourage people to call us if they suspect a garage or unit is being used for criminal purposes. It may be that valuable cars are regularly arriving at a location but are not seen leaving.
“I would urge anyone who thinks they know where stolen cars are being handled or dismantled to please get in touch with us so officers can take action.
“If anyone has suspicions we want to hear from them so we can investigate. It could turn out to be nothing but equally it could be the information we need to smash a car crime operation – and save motorists from suffering at their hands.”
Anyone with any information can call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
