Three arrested during 'chop shop' raids in Oldbury and West Bromwich

Hundreds of vehicle parts and tools used to steal cars were found at the address in Oldbury and West Bromwich.

The operation comes after the Express & Star revealed that car-key burglaries have soared in the West Midlands over the past five years.

Two 32-year-old men and a 31-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles during the police operation on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class A drug.

All three have since been released while investigations continue.

Police found five cars thought to be made of stolen car parts alongside equipment used to steal cars without the keys was also seized.

Criminal networks run chop shops which are illegal garages where stolen cars are stripped down for parts and then sold for a profit.

Sergeant Mike Bradley, from the West Bromwich neighbourhood team, said: "Car crime, car thefts and car key burglaries have been blighting the region for many months and we have decided we are going to try to tackle the problem by finding the people who we believe are directly involved in producing a chop shop production line.

“We came across dismantled reusable parts and stolen vehicle parts ranging from car doors to bumpers and engines, a workshop and even a spray paint booth.

“We suspect vehicles were being advertised for sale through social media and internet auction sites.

“So many people’s lives have been affected by the mindless and often violent thefts of cars in the borough and I am pleased we are making some headway in disrupting this type of crime.”

West Midlands Police launched a campaign last year to crackdown on chop shops. Members of the public are being urged to report anu garages or units thought to be taking in stolen vehicles.

Anyone with information or suspicions of chop shops is asked to call police on 101.