Arrests made and advice handed out during vehicle crime week

Multiple arrests were made, and cash and drugs seized in north Worcestershire as officers took part in Vehicle Crime Intensification Week 2025.

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.

During the Op Alliance II week – which ran from October 13 to 19 – we shared useful advice on how to protect your vehicles from criminals on our social media platforms and Neighbourhood Matters website.

Results from the week of action to protect the public from car thefts and car key burglaries have now today (Wednesday 29 October) 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, seven arrests were made and eight searches carried out in relation to vehicle crime. As a result of the arrests, four mobile phones were seized which will be subject to digital forensics.

Drugs including cannabis and nitrous oxide were seized as well as nearly £2,000 in cash. All the jobs have helped add to intelligence gathering for detectives as investigations continue.

In more detail: -

Our Safer Neighbourhood Teams helped to support 15 crime prevention surgeries as well as deploying our engagement van to three locations to engage with the public over vehicle crime prevention. Leaflets with crime prevention advice and smart water kits were also handed out.

Advice was also shared across West Mercia’s social media platforms throughout the week.

Detective Inspector Colin Berry, Vehicle Crime Lead in north Worcestershire, said: “This intensification week saw our officers focus on efforts to tackle some of the highest harm offenders in vehicle crime reflecting 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 and car key burglaries - 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 ever 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 .”

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