Arrests made during operation to tackle vehicle crime
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Eleven people have been arrested, six vehicles seized and £5000 in cash recovered in Leicestershire during a national week of action targeting vehicle crime.
‘Op Alliances’ ran across the UK from Monday 28 September to Monday 5 October to disrupt the theft of motor vehicles and car key burglaries as well as the supply chains connected with theft from vehicles.
The week also focused on coordinating intelligence gathering by other forces and other agencies such as the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) and the National Crime Agency.
In Leicestershire, an intelligence-led Roads Policing Unit operation was run on the evening of Friday 2 October which led to 10 arrests on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft from HGVs. As a result of these arrests, six vehicles were seized and eight searches carried out across multiple force areas including Nottinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and London. A significant number of mobile phones were recovered as well as £5000 in cash, laptops, vehicle keys and SIM cards. All 10 have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
During the intensification week, a 39-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of assault; driving without insurance; theft and being wanted on warrant. He was released on bail.
Across the week, vehicle crime prevention messages were posted on the force’s social media accounts reminding people to lock their vehicles; keep keyless car fobs in signal blocking containers and secure their homes to prevent people breaking in and stealing their car keys.
Chief Inspector Rich Jackson said; “This was an exceptional result for Leicestershire Police and a clear demonstration of the value of intelligence-led, proactive policing. I would like to personally thank everyone involved, from the intelligence officers who developed the information, to the Roads Policing Unit officers on patrol that night and the investigators who are progressing the case. Their professionalism, flexibility and teamwork were instrumental in delivering this excellent outcome.”
“Vehicle crime has consequences for individuals, communities and businesses and everyone has a role to play in protecting their vehicles and their contents and helping us prevent vehicle crime.”
Nationally, more than 100 warrants were executed across 32 force areas, leading to 286 arrests, 319 stolen vehicles being seized, with an estimated value of more than £2.6m, and 20 organised crime gangs with links to a range of additional criminality including drugs, firearms and burglary were disrupted by police activity.