Arrests after 'chop shop' found in rural village

The 'chop shop' was found during a raid on a rural property

Two people have been arrested after cars and vans were found at a suspected "chop shop".

The vehicles and parts, including engines, were recovered by police on 19 June at a property in the village of Braithwell, near Doncaster.

"Chop shops" are used to dismantle stolen cars before the stripped parts are sold off and even exported abroad.

South Yorkshire Police described the outcome of the operation as a "major find".

Two people were arrested, according to police

During the raid, officers found a lorry and shipping container thought to have been used to move the parts around the country. There were also several stolen vehicles, some of which had been brought into the UK from Europe.

Det Con Larissa Porter said: "We have disrupted what appears to be a significant criminal operation, with multiple stolen vehicles being stripped for their parts."

The stolen vans were being dismantled for their body panels and engines.

Parts taken from vehicles were seen being put onto a HGV

Two people were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, possession of criminal property and money laundering, and were released on bail pending further enquiries.

Det Con Porter added: "We know the impact car theft has on innocent people and we won't tolerate vehicles being stolen and stripped for their parts in these chop shops, which are often linked to wider organised criminality."

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