Officers hope to reunite power tools with rightful owners after chop shop raid in Wigan

We are continuing to tackle criminals targeting vehicles across Greater Manchester, and have made three arrests and recovered stolen vehicles and power tools in our latest chop shop raid in Astley, Wigan as part of an ongoing investigation into vehicle crime across the region.

Power tools seized by police during the raid

Officers stormed the industrial unit on 31 July and are still working hard to reunite stolen items with their owners.

Three men aged 24, 39 and 53 were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles. They have all been bailed pending further enquiries.
We are now looking to reunite property that was seized during the raid with the rightful owners.

Power tools officers are hoping to reunite with rightful owners

One victim has already been located and has been reunited with his power tools which were in his Transit van which we believe was stolen from the Tameside area in March this year.

Superintendent Danny O'Neil, from GMP’s Wigan district and also force lead for vehicle crime, said: “We conducted the raids on 31 July and the teams have been working hard since behind the scenes to reunite the items we believe were stolen with their rightful owners.

“We work to tackle vehicle crime in Greater Manchester by utilising many different specialist units and branches across our force to ensure we are intelligence-led in our approach to tackling vehicle crime and stolen vehicle parts.

"Dismantling and taking these criminal enterprises them out of business seriously disrupts criminal networks who think it is ok to use stolen parts from victims for their own personal gain.

"Criminals working in chop shops strip down vehicles that have been stolen from victims, and use these parts to sell on for a profit. The way they work is fast, and the parts are quickly brought in, dismantled and then sold on.

Power tools officers are hoping to reunite with rightful owners

"They tend to be based in locations such as garages or industrial units and we need information from you to help us dismantle these set ups and get stolen property back to victims.

"Get in touch and tell us, we can do something about it, you can report any suspicious behaviour or crimes on gmp.police.uk or by calling 101.

"Anyone who believes any of the items pictured belong to them, or knows anyone who they might belong to is encouraged to speak to the local neighbourhood team on 0161 856 3622."