A coordinated nationwide police operation targeting organised vehicle crime has led to the seizure of cars and parts valued at around £3.5 million. The three-month investigation involved collaboration among 12 police forces, alongside private recovery firms and tracking experts, resulting in the dismantling of 10 illegal chop shop garages and 214 arrests.

Authorities uncovered that stolen luxury vehicles were being dismantled and sold abroad, with destinations including Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria. The operation also recovered an array of illicit items such as swords, signal jammers, key scanners, cloned number plates, £20,000 in cryptocurrency, and £8,000 in cash.

Officials noted a shift in vehicle crime dynamics, moving from isolated theft incidents to sophisticated organised criminal networks. These groups are reportedly involved in broader illicit activities, including exchanging stolen vehicles for drugs and firearms. The investigation underscores law enforcement's focus on disrupting these complex criminal enterprises that impact communities both domestically and internationally.