An elite GMP team which recovered £8m worth of stolen vehicles last year has made a dent in the exploits of an Oldham car theft gang.
Officers from the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU) which targets car thieves found three high-end stolen vehicles parked up in side streets in Oldham.
It is a typical ruse of thieves to steal expensive vehicles and then leave them "hidden" in a quiet street for several days to see if they are recovered or found by having a tracker device.
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They then return to move them on - to either a chop shop to be stripped for parts or to a port to shipped abroad.
In 2021, TVIU recovered 454 stolen vehicles worth over £8million and arrested 637 for a variety of different offences.
In the latest operation in Oldham the TVIU recovered a Range Rover on Skipton Street, a Jaguar on Worsley Street and a Land Rover Discovery on Delamere Street which patrolling officers found unattended and seized.
The Range Rover and Jaguar had both been fitted with false number plates in an attempt to hide their true identity.
All three cars have been seized for forensic examination and owners contacted.
A Ford Ecosport was also recovered after patrolling officers from the unit recognised the car as having been stolen the night before
In a statement GMP said: "The Ford made off at speed on Featherstall Road and officers engaged in a pursuit before the Ford collided with two unoccupied parked cars on Oriel Avenue. Four occupants got out of the car and attempted to make off on foot.
"A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving. He has since been released under investigation.
"Whilst searching the area, the officers located another stolen Ford Focus displaying false number plates on Miller Road, this vehicle was also recovered for forensic examination."
PS Bobby Nasim, from GMP's TVIU team, said: "This is great work from our TVIU team who have been able to recover a number of stolen vehicles and reunite them with their owners.
"Car theft should not be underestimated. It is an invasive crime which puts its victims at great inconvenience, disrupting their daily lives and causing great expense.
"We have arrested one individual and are following all available lines of enquiry including forensic examination to ensure those responsible face justice.
"Our Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit patrols target vehicles suspected of being involved in a broad range of crimes - particularly thefts, burglaries, and robberies across the Greater Manchester area and are committed to reducing vehicle-related crime in the region.
