Police in Essex have uncovered a sophisticated chop shop near Stansted Airport, housing 18 stolen vehicles worth over £400,000. Among the high-value finds were a Porsche, Mercedes GLC, and a Volvo, all linked to thefts across multiple counties, including London, Hampshire, Surrey, and Kent.
The discovery was made on December 9 after Essex Police received a tip-off from the Metropolitan Police, which had been tracking a stolen Mercedes GLC. The vehicle was located in a secure yard in the Uttlesford area. Upon further investigation of an adjacent unit, officers found an additional 17 stolen cars, along with evidence linking the vehicles to a broader network of thefts.
Chop shops like this are often linked to organized crime groups, according to Detective Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston of Essex Police. These garages dismantle stolen vehicles or provide them with false identities, enabling parts to be sold or vehicles to be moved across borders for profit.
“This type of premises has clear links to wider organized crime groups,” DCI Huddleston said. “Theft of motor vehicles is a force priority, and we will continue to do all we can to tackle those involved in organized vehicle theft to protect our communities.”
Two men from Romford, aged 35 and 38, were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and handling stolen goods. They have been released on bail until March 1, 2025, as investigations continue.
Essex Police emphasized that they regularly target chop shops, recognizing the impact vehicle theft has on victims’ lives. The force is committed to dismantling these criminal operations and preventing stolen vehicles from fueling larger organized crime enterprises.
This significant discovery highlights the ongoing efforts by police to combat organized vehicle theft and disrupt criminal networks that exploit stolen luxury cars for financial gain.
Elizabeth Puckett