Vehicles worth more to criminals dismantled than whole

Illegal chop shops on the rise in 2024 as thieves capitalise on the rising cost of car parts

 During the first six months of 2024, joint operations between stolen vehicle recovery expert (SVR) Tracker Network (UK) and U.K. police forces have uncovered 37 illegal ‘chop shops’ nationwide that were being used to strip and dismantle stolen cars. Alarmingly, this figure is over two-thirds of the way to reaching 2023’s total of 55.

 In 2020 Tracker helped police shut down just two chop shops but that figure jumped significantly in recent years and continues to rise. The steady increases come as the price of new replacement parts for cars continues to grow dramatically. New data analysis has reported that the cost of SUV parts has risen faster than other car types, for example brake discs and pads have risen by 37% on SUVs, compared with 22% for hatchbacks and 20% for saloons. For pollen filters, SUV prices are up by 48%, against 41% for hatchbacks and 35% for saloons, while for windscreen wiper blades, SUVs have seen a 25% increase, against 22% for saloons and 19% for hatchbacks. However, hatchbacks have seen the biggest increase on spark plugs, with a 37% rise versus 29% for saloons and SUVs.

 The chop shop locations were uncovered as a direct result of Tracker’s unique combination of VHF with GPS/GSM technology covertly fitted to stolen vehicles, leading police directly to them. As well as recovering large numbers of Tracker installed stolen vehicles, the discovery and closure of the chop shops also uncovered hundreds of other stolen vehicles, and critically put the brakes on numerous illegal parts operations.

 “On-going geopolitical unrest is still affecting the supply of parts, which has been unpredictable for a while now. Add to this, continuing financial struggles for many which are fuelling illegal activity, and resulting in vehicles of all ages and values becoming targets for thieves,” comments said Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker.

 “These criminals are stealing vehicles to order to strip them for parts which they can then sell-on for eye-watering sums on the black market. It’s not only the domestic market where parts achieve big ticket prices. Thieves will often ship stolen parts overseas too, to places like Africa and the Middle East where they can be sold even more lucratively,”

 Industrial-sized jammers continue to be used by thieves in an attempt to block the signal from GPS and GSM-only stolen vehicle locators. However, Tracker’s unique technology is immune to GPS/GSM signal jamming so is able to lead police directly to chop shops where stolen cars fitted with its devices were being hidden.

Concludes Clive Wain, “Determined career criminals are a hard nut to crack and whilst we work hand-in-hand with police daily to find and shut down illegal chop shops, the lucrative nature of the ‘business’ means they spring up again. And thieves are getting wise. Chop shops have typically been tucked away in industrial parks or in plain sight as legitimate bodyshops, but we have seen an increasing number of unusual sites being used to hide stolen vehicles and parts, such as agricultural greenhouses.

 “The importance of vehicle owners doing all they can to maximise the security of their vehicles and make life as tricky as possible for car thieves cannot be underestimated. Simple measures such as crook locks and parking security posts deter opportunistic thieves and tech such as video doorbells and motion-activated security lights can play their part in making thieves think twice before stealing a vehicle. However, Tracker is the only provider to offer motorists vehicle tracking systems that are supported nationwide by U.K. police forces, helping it achieve a 95% success rate of recovering stolen vehicles, 80% of which are returned to their owners within 24 hours, undamaged.”

Tracker’s top tips for vehicle security 

Protect your key fob: Keyless car theft works through a relay-style electronic device tricking your key fob signal into thinking the key is near to the car and then the device can assume all key fob power. To prevent this, keep the key – and the spare too – away from where the vehicle is kept when not in use, and block the signal by keeping the key fob in a closed tin or faraday bag.  

Switch off and lock up: Never leave your car running idle and unattended, even when defrosting windscreens and windows on a wintry morning. 

Make life difficult: Fit security posts or a substantial gate if parking on your drive, physical barriers will make thieves think twice. 

Keep paperwork indoors – Don’t store car documents or spare keys inside the car as it makes it easier for thieves to sell it on. 

Stay in the light: Don’t park in unlit areas, as darkness gives thieves valuable cover. If the place where you park at home is unlit, install motion-activated security lights to ensure thieves will be visible if they approach your car.

Invest in a dashcam or visible CCTV: Even a video doorbell that covers the car while parked on the drive will deter thieves as their actions will be recorded. Many dashcams include a parking mode feature to begin recording in the event of an impact or movement while the ignition is off.

Mark parts: Etch parts that can be stolen with the vehicle’s registration plate. Although it’s unlikely that stolen parts will be recovered, visible markings could actually deter a thief from stealing components.

Use an alarm: Car alarms may not stop a thief stealing parts, or damaging the vehicle, but should stop them hanging around to remove multiple parts. If your car does not already have an alarm fitted, you can have one fitted. It should detect movement, not just the doors being opened or windows smashed, in case the vehicle is lifted to allow access to wheels or parts under the vehicle.

Invest in a Tracker: Invest in a stolen vehicle recovery solution (SVR) that will locate and return your vehicle to you before thieves can dismantle it. Tracker is the only SVR provider offering vehicle tracking systems supported nationwide by UK police forces. Its detection units are fitted in over 2000 police patrol vehicles and throughout the national fleet of Police helicopters that comprise the National Police Air Service (NPAS).