Essex Police unit recover £1m of stolen car parts in 'chop chop' raid
The Stolen vehicle recovery unit have impounded over £12m in stolen car parts in 2023
Last updated 3rd Jul 2023
The Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit of Essex Police had a successful week, recovering stolen vehicles and parts with a total value of £1 million.
The unit, specializing in locating stolen cars in a timely manner, identified several complete stolen vehicles as well as parts from other stolen cars.
Among the recovered vehicles were high-end models such as a Rolls Royce, a Bentley Bentayga, Range Rovers, and BMWs. In recent months, the unit has also been successful in finding and returning Ferraris and Aston Martins to their owners. Notably, a Rolls Royce Cullinan worth over £360,000 was recovered during recent operations.
The team responsible for these recoveries includes PC Paul Gerrish, PC Phil Pentelow, and Police Staff Hannah Gerrish. Their role involves examining the recovered vehicles and utilizing the gathered intelligence to aid in the search for other missing cars. These recent seizures have contributed to a total value of £12 million worth of vehicles recovered by the unit in 2023.
PC Paul Gerrish emphasized the police force's commitment to addressing vehicle theft and acknowledged the limitations they face due to resource constraints. He stated that their efforts are focused on disrupting organized criminal groups and making Essex an inhospitable environment for car thieves. Their work extends beyond recovering individual stolen cars and encompasses targeting the broader network of criminal activity associated with vehicle theft.
The unit has also been successful in dismantling 15 "chop shops" this year, which are locations where stolen cars are stripped for parts. Hannah Gerrish, who supports the team, plays a vital role in studying theft patterns and collaborating with the unit on a regular basis.
Additionally, the team has intercepted nearly 50 shipping containers filled with stolen vehicles and parts destined for international markets. Once stolen, cars can be sold at significantly higher prices in foreign countries, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, making the parts market in these regions lucrative. Thieves or handlers of stolen vehicles may also use false or cloned identities to sell the cars to unsuspecting buyers in the UK or distribute them to other criminals.
The success of the Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit is further evident in their record-breaking recovery and identification of 626 stolen vehicles or parts in 2022, representing a 30% increase from the previous year. Last month, the unit's work led to the arrest of three individuals suspected of handling £640,000 worth of stolen vehicles. The operation, based on intelligence, involved the collaboration of the stolen vehicle intelligence unit, operational support group, and the dog section. During the search of a unit in Charfleets Industrial Estate, evidence and items relevant to the investigation, including stolen vehicles reported in London, Surrey, Thames Valley, and Essex, were discovered.
The three suspects, all in their 20s, have been released on conditional bail until August, while the investigation, led by detectives in Canvey CID, continues.
PC Phil Pentelow emphasized that their efforts are not limited to high-end cars but extend to vehicles of all values and types. He acknowledged the significant role vehicles play in people's lives and the financial investment they represent. The team is determined to hold criminals accountable for their actions and ensure the safety of the public by preventing stolen vehicles from being used on public roads.