Police have attributed an increase in vehicle thefts to a scarcity of car parts.
According to a senior cop, thieves are stripping cars ‘in a matter of hours’ so they can sell the pieces for ‘high prices.’
‘There is a desire for certain vehicle parts, and this is fueling the theft of motor vehicles,’ said Superintendent Jim Munro of West Midlands Police.
In the year to March 7, 34 police forces reported a total of 88,915 vehicle thefts, according to data.
South Yorkshire (increased 28%), City of London (up 25%), West Midlands (up 19%), Surrey (up 12%), Merseyside (up 4%), and Greater Manchester (up 4%). (up 1 per cent).
Parts are in low supply due to factory closures caused by the epidemic.
‘What we’ve seen over the pandemic is some challenges with parts supply going into the motor industry and delays with construction,’ Mr Munro added.
‘What we’ve found in the West Midlands is similar to what we’ve seen across the country,’ says the report.
He described the process as ‘unauthorised vehicle dismantling’, adding: ‘Vehicles are stolen, sometimes taken to nearby industrial units, people will work through the night in industrial areas, and sometimes these vehicles have been stripped in a matter of hours.
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The parts are subsequently auctioned, while the shells are destined for the scrap heap.’
‘We’ve encountered issues with microchips, as well as specific vehicle parts that have been difficult to obtain,’ he stated.
‘Due to the great demand, some of those pieces are being sold for rather expensive amounts.’
According to Mr Munro, there is a link between the most popular automobile brands on the road and the ones most frequently targeted by thieves, because their parts have a “particularly high value because of the number of people who desire those.”
Police are using a variety of tactics to try to stop the stream of vehicle thefts.
In the last year, West Midlands Police have arrested almost 2,000 people as part of Operation Cantil, which has also resulted in the recovery of 1,000 stolen automobiles.
Several chop shops, which are facilities where stolen vehicles are dismembered, have been discovered and shut down.
Forces are also collaborating with the automotive sector to forecast which car models may be vulnerable in the future and how their security systems can be enhanced.
When drivers visit dealerships, geo-fencing technology is also utilized to send Instagram messages with auto security tips.
Mr Munro advised motorists to ‘concentrate on where they’re leaving their vehicles’ if they don’t want to become a victim.
Many people mistakenly believe that their car will be safe when parked for a short time at a site such as a retail park, assuming that the majority of thefts occur outside of houses, according to him.
‘Criminals are taking advantage of this,’ he stated. ‘They’re utilizing gadgets to prevent signals that people are trying to use their fobs to lock their automobiles.’
‘No matter how long you’re leaving the vehicle, make sure it’s locked and that the signal isn’t obstructed when you lock it.’
‘It doesn’t matter whether it’s simply
