Three arrested as officers continue vehicle crime crackdown

Two men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of theft offences as we continue to crackdown on vehicle crime across the county.

It comes as, in the last two weeks, more than 20 stolen vehicles have been recovered as part of a new operation.

Operation Bormus began in July this year following an increase in reports of vehicle thefts, and though this increase is part of a national trend in related crime across the UK, we continue to do all we can to tackle vehicle-related criminality in Staffordshire.

Yesterday, on Sunday (16 October), a stolen Ford Connect van was recovered after officers spotted it on the M6 near junction 12.

Following a pursuit, the van was found abandoned on a field on Clive Road in Pattingham.

A 20-year-old man, from Perton and a 20-year-old woman, from Wolverhampton, were arrested a short time later on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

A 19-year-old man, from Perton, was arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle.

All three remain in custody and inquiries are ongoing.

It brings the total number of those arrested during the three-month operation to more than 30.

Detective Inspector Louise Booker, of the South Staffordshire Local Policing Team, said: “Where possible, lock your van in a secure garage or use a steering lock to deter any opportunists from targeting your vehicle.

“If possible, make sure your van is parked in direct view of CCTV cameras.

“You should attempt to remove tools from vans overnight. An alternative can be to mark them clearly with their name using paint pens and sealing that with a clear lacquer spray.

“I would also suggest using a lockable cabinet and small cameras can also be installed inside vans.

“All vehicle owners should be vigilant to any suspicious activity in and around their communities and report any concerns to police.”

If you have a keyless vehicle, we advise that you:
• Consider purchasing a key security pouch (also known as a Faraday pouch) to keep your car entry devices in while inside the house. These block the ability of thieves to access the key signal
• Always check your car doors have locked after pressing your key fob
• Park in a garage if possible, or another secure area, where it is difficult to get the car out if accessed
• Consider using a steering wheel lock.

If you are a victim of keyless vehicle theft, contact Staffordshire Police on 101 or in an emergency, dial 999.

For more information on how to protect your vehicle from crime, visit: Preventing car and vehicle theft | Crime Prevention | Staffordshire Police