Ten arrested in crackdown on keyless car thefts

Ten people have been arrested and a suspected chop shop shut down as police said they were trying to tackle vehicle thefts amid an increase in keyless cars being stolen.

Six people, aged between 18 and 29, were arrested on Tuesday during raids across Dudley, Wolverhampton and Sandwell.

Another man was taken into custody on suspicion of obstructing an officer, West Midlands Police said.

Officers also tracked a suspected stolen black Land Rover to the alleged chop shop on an industrial estate off Watery Lane, Willenhall, on Monday.

A vehicle leaving the area was stopped and the three people inside, aged 20, 25 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of motor vehicle theft.

The 37-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of possessing Class B drugs and the 20-year old on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

Insp Gavin Peever said police have seen an increase in keyless vehicle thefts across Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

"However, we are running a targeted operation to identify suspects, gather intelligence and bring offenders to justice," he added.

Keyless car systems require a fob for the car to sense and open, rather than a key to unlock it physically.

Thieves use a technique called relay theft, where a device is used to detect and amplify a fob's signal.

This technique means thieves do not need to steal a key or break into a property.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.