Watch: Police target suspected chop shop in Birmingham crackdown on ‘car cannibalism’

Warrants have been executed by police across Birmingham this morning (Wednesday, May 8) in a crackdown on ‘car cannibalism’. 

Officers from West Midlands Police Vehicle Crime Team carried out warrants at a suspected chop shop in a business unit in Bordesley Green and at a residential property.

They arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of conspiring to steal from a motor vehicle as they entered a home.

A spokesperson for WMP said: “We believe that the suspect may have been involved in 14 car stripping offences (also known as car cannibalism) between March 2023 and April 2024, and the good work of our officers indicates our commitment to tackling vehicle crime. We take all vehicle crime, including car cannibalism seriously, and it is a priority to tackle this incredibly distressing crime.”

‘One of our top priorities’

Detective Supt Jim Munro from Birmingham Police, explained the next steps in the operation: "We have been out this morning and arrested a man who we believe is linked to a series of car cannibalism offences across the inner-city of Birmingham.

"We will be focusing on interviewing that individual and looking to put evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service. Also, this is part of our response to tackling car cannibalism across the West Midlands, and to show the community that we are listening to the problems that they are raising with us.

"Here in Birmingham, my investigation teams are working very hard - and this is one of our priorities - to ensure that we reduce this type of offending, and also put people before the courts."