Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicles after officers in Oldham uncovered a ‘chop shop’.
The arrests followed an increase in thefts of Ford Fiesta and Ford Transits
Police entered a detached garage on Newport Street containing two Ford Fiesta vehicles and several registration plates linked to other Ford Fiestas.
All had been reported stolen in the area and further afield.
Four men, aged 60, 45, 39 and 32 and three women – aged 43, 33 and 27 – were all arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicles.
All remain in police custody for questioning.
Chief Inspector Ian Partington from Oldham’s Neighbourhood team said: “We suspect this garage was being used to illegally disassemble and ‘chop up’ vehicles for parts, later selling them for profit. We have deployed crime scene investigators in order to gather evidence, which will support our specialist vehicle examiners with their investigations.
“Tackling vehicle crime is one of my team’s biggest priorities and today we’ve achieved a great result. A location that is undoubtedly being used for criminality has been uncovered and two vehicles will hopefully be making their way back to their rightful owners.
