Police close 60 ‘chop shop’ garages in car crime | Tech News

Stolen vehicle recovery expert Tracker Network UK has teamed up with police forces across the UK to shut down 60 illegal ‘chop shops’ that have been breaking stolen cars for parts.

According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, more than 129,000 vehicles were stolen between April 2023 and March 2024, with many vehicles being broken for parts to be sold to dodgy garages.

Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker, noted that many criminals are taking advantage of the rising cost of new car parts, targetting particularly popular models, including SUVs from Nissan and Kia.

He explained: “Our struggling economy means people are keeping their vehicles for longer, at the same time the cost of car parts has increased markedly, which has resulted in an unprecedented demand for good-quality second-hand parts.

“Professional criminals have been quick to take advantage and meet demand. And it’s not just premium marques that thieves are targeting. We are increasingly recovering models manufactured in high-volumes, such as the Nissan Juke and Kia Sportage.”

Whilst the number of cars being stolen in the UK is alarming, Tracker highlighted that the number of ‘chop shops’ being discovered and shut down by authorities is increasing rapidly.

During 2024 alone, the organisation partnered with police forces to locate 60 illegal warehouses that were stripping stolen vehicles for parts – a huge increase from the two that were discovered in 2020.

Many of the ‘chop shops’ were found because the vehicles stolen by the criminals featured a hidden tracking device, with 179 models returned to their rightful owners during the 12-month period.

Whilst 2024 was a successful year for Tracker and the police forces, Clive warned that the criminals running them are constantly adapting their methods, making it even more important for drivers to keep their vehicle secure.

He added: “Whilst manufacturers are investing heavily in vehicle security to combat tech-savvy thieves, the culprits are quick to adapt. Indeed, we are seeing criminals revert to ‘old school’ methods to steal cars, such as breaking into houses or physically threatening and assaulting owners to take keys.

“It’s clear owners need to do all they can to keep their vehicles safe and whilst a Tracker device won’t stop a car from being stolen, it will significantly increase the chances of it being recovered before it’s been broken down for parts.”

A number of companies now produce vehicle trackers, which use GPS to let owners quickly located their vehicle at any given time. Available from around £30, many devices can be hidden away so that criminals do not spot and remove them if their vehicle is stolen.

Alternatively, drivers could implement a number of methods to make their car harder for thieves to steal. Traditional methods, such as a steering lock or wheel clamp, require extra time and effort to remove, increasing the risk of the thief being spotted.

Finally, motorists should always be considerate about where they leave their vehicle, choosing populated and well-lit environments that criminals tend to keep away from.