14/10/2026
| We've arrested more than 1,000 people on suspicion of vehicle crime in the last six months as we work to identify and detain suspects.
We fully understand the inconvenience of vehicle theft and the impact it has on daily lives.
This is why we take all reports seriously and have specific teams in each of our seven local policing areas who are responsible for investigating such crimes and seek to bring offenders to justice.
We look to act on information we receive and also undertake targeted activity to tackle the issue.
Since April, we've arrested almost 1,200 people in connection with vehicle crime. This includes theft of a vehicle, stealing from a vehicle, or aggravated vehicle taking.
Earlier this month we arrested six men after officers traced a suspected stolen vehicle to a premises in Wolverhampton.
In Sandwell and Dudley we have arrested four men on suspicion of vehicle crime offences this week.
On Monday, we arrested two men, aged 26 and 32 on suspicion of theft after we recovered two suspected stolen bikes in Tipton.
A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal vehicles, and a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft after we received a report of an Audi driving around Coseley.
Officers spotted the car on Flavell Avenue and during a search of the vehicle, tools, false number plates and gloves were found. All four men have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Our work is ongoing and we continue to engage with a range of other agencies.
Given our location at the centre of the country and our motorway links, we work closely with other forces and bodies such as the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) and the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP), to share intelligence and co-ordinate our response.
We also work closely with drivers and manufacturers to develop and promote the latest crime prevention advice to stop vehicles from being stolen in the first place.
Prevention is still key! Remember the basics:
Lock it – When using the vehicle key fob make sure the vehicle is locked properly.
Check it – Look for the signs. A car signals it is locked; lights flash, mirrors fold in or door handles retract. If it doesn’t lock use a physical emergency key or lock it via your mobile phone car app.
Accept it – If your vehicle tells you, it needs a software or firmware update, accept it via the infotainment system. Check if it needs one by following the manufacturer’s instructions
Layer up – Use multiple layers of security to protect yourself, your vehicle, and your home. Use a police-accredited steering lock, make sure your CCTV or digital doorbell covers where your car is parked, and keep your car keys in a signal-blocking pouch.
Your information is crucial in finding those responsible and if you notice suspicious activity, please get in contact with us via 101 or Live Chat on our website.
Where possible, if you have descriptions of vehicles being used to commit crime, especially registration plates, this is helpful as we work to identify those involved.
We won’t tolerate vehicle crime and will continue to work to identify those involved.
