West Midlands Police blames car theft surge on write-off gangs

A car that has been cannibalised for parts

Criminal gangs selling insurance write-offs are fuelling a surge in vehicle theft, a police force has said.

West Midlands Police said there had been a 100% increase in vehicle thefts in the force area over the past four years.

More than 10,000 cars were stolen in 2017, compared to 5,215 in 2014-15.

The force said the rise was being driven by gangs buying written-off cars from salvage auctions and then stealing cars for parts they need to fix them.

The gangs then sell on the cars for a hefty profit.

West Midlands Police Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said: "There's a correlation between the types of cars being stolen and those available as repairable write-offs.

"It is our firm belief, supported by police intelligence, that this increase is being driven by the criminal demand for car parts."

Stolen cars are broken down at so-called chop-shops

More luxury brand cars, like Audis, BMWs and Range Rovers, are being sold at auction as repairable write-offs.

Criminals are choosing to steal cars for matching spares rather than buy expensive factory-made parts from manufacturers.

The force is calling for improved regulations of the resale of insurance write-offs and new ways to report suspicious buyer activity.

It said it would be raising its concerns with the government, the Association of British Insurers and auction and sales websites.