Three men were arrested following a police raid at a suspected ‘chop shop’ in Manchester on Friday morning (October 18). The men, aged 27, 32, and 49, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods after officers recovered suspected stolen vehicle parts from a garage on Bromley Street.
Specialist vehicle examination teams from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) joined neighbourhood officers in executing the warrant. Initial searches revealed items believed to be linked to stolen vehicles, and further analysis of the recovered parts is ongoing.
The business is suspected of being used as a ‘chop shop,’ a facility where stolen vehicles are dismantled and sold for parts.
Inspector Dan Pickavance from GMP’s Manchester neighbourhood team condemned the crime, saying: “Stealing someone’s hard-earned property and selling it on is vile; quite simply profiting off someone’s misery. On our Manchester patch – as teams do across the entire force – if we get reports and intelligence of such criminality, you can expect us to act.
He added: “I hope this morning’s warrant demonstrates our commitment to tackling vehicle crime and the wider offences that can be related to it. We won’t allow this type of criminality, and if we suspect premises of being involved, they can expect a visit from us.
Police are urging anyone with information regarding vehicle crime or stolen goods to contact GMP or submit a tip anonymously through Crimestoppers.