Officers discover 'chop shop' containing stolen cars in Rotherham
High-end vehicle parts and pallets of stolen property have been found
A suspected ‘chop shop’ containing multiple stolen cars, high-end vehicle parts and pallets of stolen property has been discovered by officers in Rotherham.
Earlier this year in January, response and neighbourhood officers tracked a stolen Range Rover to Kiveton Park Industrial Estate in Rotherham.
The vehicle was located in a unit which upon gaining entry was found to have been converted into a ‘chop shop’ containing multiple suspected stolen vehicle parts.
A ‘chop shop’ is the name used to describe an area where stolen cars are taken apart so that their parts can be sold separately.
Diligent work by Rotherham South Neighbourhood Policing Team led to a warrant being secured for two other units which led to a lorry full of high-end car parts being discovered and several vehicles stolen from across the country recovered.
Photographs taken inside the compound show dozens of car doors lined up against each other, as well as several vehicle registration plates.
During a search of the units, officers also discovered pallets of suspected stolen property including several chocolate bars and computer printer toners.
South NPT Inspector Darren Birley said:
"This was a sophisticated operation with stolen vehicles, parts and property from all over the country hidden inside the units.
“Following the warrants we have arrested two men who have been bailed pending further enquiries. Results like this form part of the ongoing work to tackle organised criminality in Rotherham and South Yorkshire.
“We know the impact car theft can on have people which is why it is vital that we work with other police forces to trace stolen vehicles and dismantle these ‘chop shops’.”
If you are concerned about crime in your area, contact us via live chat or our online portal here:https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/ro/report/. You can also call 101.
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