Two men arrested following series of warrants in Wythenshawe as we continue to tackle suspected ‘chop shops’ across GM

This morning (27/02/2025), officers from our Bolton Neighbourhood Crime Team (NCT), Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) and Stolen Vehicle Examination Unit (SVEU), executed warrants across Greater Manchester, leading to two arrests.

Officers conducted a warrant at a premises on Shentonfield Road, Wythenshawe to recover suspected stolen vehicle parts, with four vehicle blocks were located and suspected stolen.

Two vehicles were also seized and suspected of being used in connection with other crimes.

A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, while a 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

Both men are in police custody for questioning.

These warrants are part of Operation Gosport, an investigation into the theft of motor vehicles and the conspiracy to steal motor vehicles in Bolton, other areas of Greater Manchester, and nationally.

Sergeant Thomas Bayliss, from Bolton’s NCT, said: “Hard work and long hours from officers within the Neighbourhood Crime Team, with support from TAU, the Stolen Vehicle Examination Unit, and the Crime Scene Investigation team, has today helped police identify a suspected ‘chop shop’ in the south Manchester area.

“This operation shows that we will not tolerate vehicle crime and provide the public with confidence that their reports of crime are being taken seriously and criminals are being dealt with.

“Vehicle crime is not simply an inconvenience to people, it often affects their livelihood and way of income."

Anyone with any information in relation to a crime, please contact 101, or you can always contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

If you witness a crime in progress, dial 999.