Three men arrested from suspected Smethwick chop shop

Three men were arrested from a suspected chop shop in Smethwick.

West Midlands Police also found three cars which had been stolen from Yardley and Smethwick on 28 and 31 May at the industrial unit off Watville Road on Friday (June 2). Numerous parts suspected of being stripped from stolen vehicles were recovered too.

Three men, aged 19, 21 and 23, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft and have been bailed with conditions while enquires continue.

West Midlands Police said: “We know the impact of vehicle crime on our communities and we’d urge anyone who suspects a chop shop is operating near them to inform us.”

Tell-tale signs of a chop shop could include:

• Noise coming from units late at night or in the early hours of the morning;
• Vehicles that look out of place going in to workshops and not coming back out;
• Large amounts of car parts being stored, sometimes in odd places such as gardens;
• Shipping containers in unusual locations;
• Expensive items such as engines and gearboxes outside workshops;

To report suspicions please contact the police either via Live Chat on West Midlands Police website or by calling 101 anytime.