Five men arrested as part of suspected organised crime group linked to vehicle thefts

Police have arrested five men suspected of being a part of an organised crime group in Oldham and Rochdale.

The men, aged 22, 28, 35, 44 and 63 were arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicles and participating in organised crime groups following a swoop on addresses yesterday (Thursday) morning. They all remain in police custody. 

The group is suspected of stealing commercial vehicles, predominantly Ford Transit vans, and it is believed the vehicles are then being stripped down and sold online. 

The majority of the 40 suspected vehicle thefts have occurred in Rochdale but the group are suspected of offending across Greater Manchester,  Lancashire and West Yorkshire. 

Rochdale Neighbourhood Policing Team conducted seven warrants in Oldham and Rochdale where a garage suspected of being used by the group as a chop shop was raided. 

A chop shop is where premises illegally disassemble and ‘chop-up’ vehicles for parts, later selling them for profit. The vehicles may have previously been stolen from their rightful owners. 

It is understood the value of the stolen vehicles and tools are worth more than £500,000. 

Detective Sergeant John Dineen, of the Rochdale Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We have been able to build up an intelligence picture of a suspected organised crime group stripping down vans and selling their parts online for profit. 

“The action of taking out these suspected offenders is ultimately helping to make the town of Rochdale a safer community for people to live and visit. Vehicle crime can affect anyone and is a huge issue across the district and a priority area for Rochdale. 

“Warrant activity this morning links to problems identified through community engagement. This work wouldn’t have been possible without people feeding information back to us, whether it’s a van being stripped on someone’s drive or an engine being moved in suspicious circumstances.” 

Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website, www.gmp.police.uk. Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.