Police have arrested a schoolboy in connection with vehicle crimes amid a crackdown. Officers took a 14-year-old boy and man aged 18 into custody after uncovering a reported stolen moped.
The force said it understood how “distressing vehicle crime is” as they listed the recent arrests made in Birmingham. West Midlands Police has “multiple people” in custody relating to the vehicle crimes.
In one incident, a stolen moped was recovered, another alert led to a police chase of an off-road-bike while a third saw officers pursue a teenager on foot.
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Releasing the news, police said: “Overnight, we arrested four men and one teenage boy on suspicion of being involved in vehicle crime.” The arrests include an 18-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy, both who were arrested after suspicious activity reports in Braceby Avenue.
Officers then made arrests as a stolen moped was found at around 9pm on Monday, January 13. In another incident, police arrested a 26-year-old man after pursuing an off-road-bike being ridden in the city. He was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle after a foot chase in Vauxhall Street at around 4pm on Monday.
The force said another 18-year-old man was also in custody on Tuesday, January 14 after “ANPR cameras spotted a stolen vehicle in Sutton Coldfield “. Officers located the vehicle at around 4.30pm on Monday, and after failing to stop, a short foot chase ensued, the force says.
The teen was arrested for theft of a motor vehicle and robbery. On the same day, a 40-year-old man was arrested after a man was reportedly seen “trying to open car doors in Barnes Hill.” Officers found a man inside one of the vehicles and seized a stolen handbag along with a sat nav.
West Midlands Police said: “We take all crime seriously, including vehicle crime. We understand how distressing vehicle crime is, and the impact it has on our communities, and we’re continuing our ongoing work to tackle this.”
Have you been affected by vehicle crime? We would like to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing stephanie.balloo@reachplc.com