NEWS | Charges and arrests made by West Mercia Police in Herefordshire during vehicle crime week

Protecting motorists from vehicle crime is a priority for West Mercia Police with officers working around the clock, 365 days a year to prevent this acquisitive and impactive crime.

We shared useful advice on how to protect your vehicles from criminals on our social media platforms as part of Vehicle Crime Intensification Week (Monday 16 to Friday 22 September).

Results from the week of action to protect the public from car thefts and break-ins have now been released based on the work of our dedicated teams on patrol, in our Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), in CID and in our Prevention Hubs.

During the week, two offenders were charged by Herefordshire officers for 20 offences, including seven burglaries in which cars were stolen and the remaining 13 were all linked thefts or burglaries of non-dwellings linked to vehicle crime.

Across the forces, there were four suspects arrested for theft of motor vehicle, two arrested for car key burglaries, and one arrested for theft from motor vehicle.

Three stolen vehicles were recovered including one following a pursuit by the Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team (NCFT) in South Worcestershire.

Officers’ efforts also included targeted patrols conducted at 69 vehicle crime hotspots throughout the force area combining high visibility and covert resources.

Proactive crime prevention activities included delivering number plate anti-tamper devices delivered to previous victims of vehicle theft, and visiting garages and vehicle dealerships to provide anti-tamper kits and get sign ups to Neighbourhood Matters to keep them in the loop about what’s going on in their area. Parish councils were also visited.

Our SNTs handed out vehicle security packs including advice leaflets, in-vehicle stickers and VRM tamper proof screw kits at various public engagement events.

In South Worcestershire, officers carried out repeated patrols in hours of darkness at Strensham Services as part of Op Yard which tackles organised criminals who prey on HGV lorries and trailers, slashing curtains and stealing goods from them on a large scale.

Police spoke with HGV drivers to discuss crime prevention, and a Business Watch meeting was held that focused on transport and logistics companies in the Droitwich area.

Detective Chief Inspector James Bamber, West Mercia’s Operation Lead for Vehicle Crime, said: “This intensification week saw our officers work with partners in a targeted effort to tackle some of the highest harm offenders in vehicle crime and the results reflect the work West Mercia carries out on every day, 365 days a year.

“Organised crime groups are often responsible for a significant number of vehicle thefts, whether to export high-end vehicles overseas or to break them up for parts and use in so-called ‘chop shops’.

“Stolen vehicles can also be used in other areas of acquisitive crime as well as drug offending and modern slavery, so tackling these offences is of high importance.

“As always prevention is key and there are a number of ways you can protect your on our website at Keeping vehicles safe | Crime prevention | West Mercia Police .”