Greater Manchester Police raids target organised car theft and vehicle export

Channel 5 reported that Greater Manchester Police carried out a day of action targeting organised vehicle theft and export. Channel 5 said the day of action followed a Greater Manchester Police investigation into an organised crime group suspected of trafficking and exporting stolen vehicles across the UK. Channel 5 reported that officers smashed down a door in the Harpurhey area of Greater Manchester after intelligence suggested people at the address had been stealing and selling cars abroad.

Channel 5 reported that vehicle theft in England and Wales had risen by roughly 50% over the past decade and cost about £2 billion a year. It said Home Office figures showed a recent fall but thefts were still almost 50% higher than a decade earlier.

Channel 5 reported from a chop shop in Greater Manchester where stolen vehicles were stripped for parts and sent abroad in shipping containers. It said Detective Sergeant Chris Scofield, who did not want to show his face on camera, described how criminals fill the front of containers with fridges as a decoy, so examiners see 20 to 30 stacked appliances and do not look behind them.

Channel 5 reported that Greater Manchester Police's force intelligence bureau had intercepted seven shipping containers since March, holding around £600,000 worth of luxury vehicles, many heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo. It said the force's head of intelligence called organised vehicle theft a national threat.

Channel 5 reported that the head of intelligence said 13 to 14 vehicles were stolen each day across Greater Manchester. He said the force had cut vehicle taking by 40% over the previous five years but more work remained.

Channel 5 reported that four people were arrested on suspicion of involvement in vehicle theft and handling stolen vehicles while its team was filming. It said those convicted could face up to seven years in prison for conspiracy to steal vehicles or 14 years for conspiracy to handle them. The report noted that some argue the law is not strong enough to deter other groups.