Police raid smashes luxury car theft ring

West Yorkshire Police and officers from trading standards raided properties across Bradford yesterday morning following a 12-month operation into the theft of luxury cars worth at least 500,000 to sell on locally, nationally and abroad.

A Ford Mustang sports car imported from the United States and a Japanese Honda Integra Type R were among the vehicles impounded at a car dealership based in the Allerton part of the city. It has now been closed and prevented from trading or moving any of the cars.

Four men and a woman were arrested in the raids across the city and will be questioned by detectives this week.

Det Sgt Guy Shackleton, of Huddersfield CID, said work was continuing on the investigation which has been detailed and complex.

He said: "Inquiries are continuing into what has been a detailed and complex investigation over the last 12 months with partners including Stoke trading standards, to examine issues such as the sale of stolen goods over the Internet.

"As work continues on the case we will look to freeze and seize any assets which are thought to have been acquired through the proceeds of crime."

A total of 17 cars were restrained in the morning raids adding to a further 20 which have been identified as stolen by the investigation so far.

Ten of the stolen vehicles have so far been recovered.

Cars including a Porsche 911 worth 70,000, an Audi Q7 and a variety of BMW cars including several X5 models are among those which have either been recovered or seized nationwide so far by officers.

The haul also includes a Bentley Continental GT worth 80,000.

Police officers and staff from trading standards are now investigating the history of the latest vehicles to have been seized to establish where they have originated from and whether they have been stolen and can be reunited with their owners.

Any cash, property, or assets of any kind which are thought to be the proceeds of crime will also be frozen.

The principal officer with Stoke on Trent Trading Standards, Neil Horton, has warned people to be alert to possible scams, such as car clocking which involves winding back the odometer on a high–mileage car in order to raise the asking price.