Warwickshire Police's new vehicle crime team makes 13 arrests in first five days

Warwickshire Police's newly formed vehicle crime team made 13 arrests in the first five days.

The newly formed Proactive Vehicle Crime Team is based at Greys Mallory near Warwick.

The team was established last Monday (May 18), and since then, 13 arrests have been made for offences including vehicle thefts, possession/supply of drugs and locating wanted people.

The team’s primary focus is to tackle vehicle crime, but this also includes focusing on criminals who may be using transport links to commit crime. The team will proactively target vehicle crime and any offences that may be associated, such as drug dealing.

Some of the arrests were made in and around Leamington. These include:

~ At around 5pm on Sunday (May 24), officers witnessed a suspected drugs transaction in Leamington. A 19-year-old man from Sydenham was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

~ Two men from Leamington have been arrested in connection with theft from motor vehicles. One has since been charged with seven offences and has been remanded.

~ At around 1pm yesterday (Tuesday 26 May), a suspected stolen vehicle was stopped by the team on the A46, by the M40. Two men were detained, enquiries continue.

Sgt Dave McManus, who is heading up the team at Greys Mallory, said: “Thanks to additional funding by the precept increase, the team has now formed with a focus on reducing vehicle crime and associated offences within the county.

“We know the despair and distress that vehicle crime can have on victims. Whether its tools taken from a commercial van or a family’s car stolen from the driveway, these offences can have far-reaching financial and personal implications.

“Unfortunately, drug dealing can sometimes have links to vehicle crime - it may be criminals stealing vehicles to use as transport or even to sell for parts to generate cash.

"However, these aren’t the only negative implications of illegal drugs in our communities, which is why we need to keep pursuing those responsible.

“As a force, we are determined to keep our county safe and to tackle these offences, and we hope the new team will be another positive step towards this commitment.”