A PORSCHE super car is among more than 200 stolen vehicles that have been seized from criminals in a £1.8million police crackdown.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, made a five-figure investment to tackle an alarming increase in vehicle thefts across the region.
This funding boost is a direct response to the escalating problem, with vehicle thefts rising by 35 per cent in the region, from 11,990 incidents in 2021 to 16,232 in 2023.
However, recently-published data has shown that vehicle crime has reduced by more than 10 per cent in the West Midlands across a 12-month period.
New PCC funding allowed West Midlands Police to enhance its resources dedicated to recovering stolen vehicles and bringing offenders to justice.
This intensified action, under Operation Vantor, has already yielded substantial results, with 27 stolen vehicles recovered across a 16-day period, boasting a combined market value of £527,250.
Among the recovered vehicles is a high-profile Porsche 911 GT3, valued at £140,000.
The recent recovery haul, thanks to additional PCC funding, takes the total number of stolen vehicles seized to over 200 since Op Vantor first commenced in May 2024. The combined value of stolen cars that have been recovered, is now estimated to be around £1.8million.
Mr Foster said: “The rise in vehicle theft across the West Midlands is deeply concerning, and I’m committed to taking decisive action to protect our communities.
“This substantial investment provides West Midlands Police with the resources they need to disrupt these criminal networks, recover stolen vehicles, and bring offenders to justice.
“The recent seizures are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our officers, and I’m confident that this increased focus will make a real difference in tackling this issue.”
The PCC says the funding played a vital role in supporting proactive policing operations, intelligence gathering, and the use of advanced technology to track and locate stolen vehicles.
Head of West Midlands Police’s Roads Policing Unit, Superintendent Gareth Mason said: “We are seeing positive results from this increased investment and are determined to continue our efforts to drive down vehicle crime.
“The recovery of these high-value vehicles demonstrates our commitment to pursuing offenders and disrupting their illicit activities. We encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to us.”
Residents are urged to take preventative measures to protect their vehicles, such as using steering wheel locks, ensuring keys are stored securely, and parking in well-lit areas.
Anyone with information about vehicle theft or related criminal activity should contact West Midlands Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
