A Metropolitan Police operation, funded by the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP), has resulted in seven vehicles being seized in Barnet as part of an ongoing effort to tackle vehicle theft across the borough and surrounding areas.

The operation focused on identifying and disrupting individuals involved in vehicle theft through proactive use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to target vehicles and individuals of interest, alongside enforcement activity.

Outcomes from the day included the development of intelligence relating to vehicles operating locally potentially linked to theft, as well as 86 vehicle stops and checks, and 10 Traffic Offence Reports were issued.

There was also some cross-border collaboration with Hertfordshire Police after a vehicle suspected of being linked to drugs supply was chased into their police force area.

The funding for the operation was made possible after the NVCRP secured two major Government grants of nearly £700,000 to support vehicle crime reduction initiatives across the country.

Kem Ofo, Inspector, with the Met Police said: “This operation delivered some good results and is the first of many being planned. By proactively identifying and stopping vehicles of interest, officers were able to disrupt criminal activity, gather valuable intelligence and take enforcement action to keep our communities safe.”

A spokesperson for the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership said: “Vehicle crime remains a significant threat to communities across the UK, and tackling it requires a coordinated, intelligence-led approach. We are pleased to have funded this operation, which demonstrates the impact of strong partnership working, combining national support with local policing to disrupt organised criminality and protect the public.”