A Porsche super car is among more than 200 stolen vehicles that have been seized from criminals in a £1.8 million crackdown, thanks to collaborative work between West Midlands Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster.
The PCC has made a five-figure investment to tackle an alarming increase in vehicle thefts across the region. This recent funding boost is a direct response to the escalating problem, with vehicle thefts rising by 35% in the West Midlands, 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% in the West Midlands across a 12-month period.
New PCC funding, meanwhile, has enabled West Midlands Police to significantly 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 £1.8 million.
“The rise in vehicle theft across the West Midlands is deeply concerning, and I’m committed to taking decisive action to protect our communities,” outlined PCC Simon Foster. “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’s funding has been instrumental in supporting proactive policing operations, intelligence gathering, and the use of advanced technology to track and locate stolen vehicles. West Midlands Police is working tirelessly to dismantle organised crime groups involved in vehicle theft and resale, often linked to other serious offences.
“We are seeing positive results from this increased investment and are determined to continue our efforts to drive down vehicle crime,” added Head of West Midlands Police’s Roads Policing Unit, Superintendent Gareth Mason.
“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.”
Members of the public 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 is encouraged to contact West Midlands Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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