Tackling Vehicle Crime in Streetly

Dear Resident

We are taking action with several of our teams working together after an increase in car thefts in Streetly.

We have seen an increase in vehicle thefts from driveways in Streetly and surrounding areas recently.

In response to this we have officers from our Road Crime Team deployed in the area at night. This team is supported by Op Skybridge officers and neighbourhood officers from both our Aldridge and Brownhills teams as we look to tackle the issue.

Inspector Nazia Kauser, neighbourhood policing manager at Aldridge, said: “There has been an increase in car thefts in the Streetly and surrounding areas recently.

“I have deployed my officers for high visibility patrols at night. We are supported by officers from our dedicated Road Crime Team and our Op Skybridge team and together we will address the issues.

“We understand this is a concern for the local community but I can assure them we are taking action.”

Our dedicated Road Crime Teams (RCTs), focus on serious vehicle crime, using intelligence-led tactics like ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) to intercept criminals, seize stolen vehicles, and disrupt illegal activities like drug dealing or vehicle theft rings, working with other units for proactive operations and road safety. 

Operation Skybridge is a serious and acquisitive crime (SAC Offences) team, and exclusively prevent and detect crimes such as burglary, robbery, vehicle and drug crime in the allocated area they are positioned in. They were deployed to work in the Sutton Coldfield area from 13 December.

To report vehicle crime ring us on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Thieves are opportunists, looking for an easy way to steal items of value from an unlocked or unattended vehicle including Christmas presents.

Every year, vehicles are stolen from driveways and outside homes when owners leave them to warm up with the key in the ignition.

Car thieves watch the weather forecast too and will be out early in the morning on the lookout for vehicles left unattended.

High value vehicles are often targeted in this way as their advanced security technology makes them difficult to steal unless they already have the engine running and the key in the ignition.

Stay with your vehicle and if you’re in a rush, use de-icing spray and a scraper to speed up the process. Sit inside your vehicle while the heater de-mists the windscreen as your insurance may not pay out if you are in any way deemed responsible for the theft.

For support and advice around vehicle crime go to Preventing car and vehicle theft | Crime Prevention | West Midlands Police

Walsall Police