We live in fear of organised gangs ‘shredding’ our cars – shameless thieves rip our motors apart in broad daylight

RESIDENTS living in fear of organised gangs “shredding” their cars say that thieves even rip apart their motors in broad daylight.

Locals in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, say that they regularly find their vehicles decimated.

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It’s seen locals collectively fork out thousands to repair their motors after finding their bonnets and headlights stripped or windows smashed.

A crime spree in the area back in 2021 even saw brazen criminals gutting cars in broad daylight.

And fed-up residents are now fighting back at the “absurd” crime in the area by contacting cops and the local councillor for help.

Leading the charge, Kettleworks resident Ellen told Birmingham Live: “Car crime in the area is absolutely absurd at the moment.

“I think we should put together an email and get as many residents to sign as possible to petition for more CCTV and police patrols in the area.

“There seems to be no way to avoid cars potentially being ripped apart – and I think it’s just absolutely disgraceful.”

Agreeing, David Mole said: “Count me in. I’ll sign a petition for better surveillance, resident parking and street lighting in the area.”

Another added: “Car crime is clearly on the rise again. It calmed down for a while, but it’s just getting worse and worse.

“And the worst thing is, there doesn’t seem to be a way to avoid it.”

While local neighbourhood officer PC Matthew Dartnell said he is “aware this trend has started again”.

He said: “We did have several offences last year where vehicles, especially Vauxhall Corsas, were broken into and bonnets and bumpers taken.

“But this appeared to stop when arrests were made. We have not had any offences reported to us for around six months or more.

“An incident on January 27 is the first that I am aware of, and members of the team have been asked to follow up with CCTV enquiries.

“I would like to add: it is not the case police can’t be bothered to investigate – just that we rarely have the resources available to do so.”

While Cllr Chaman Lal said he is in touch with cops after being contacted by “a lot of residents” regarding car crime.

He said: “I’m really angry that anyone would want to do this. There is no place for this in our society. I am horrified to see it causing unacceptable distress to residents.

“I have spoken to police to let them know my residents need action on this.

“This needs to stop so people can get on with their lives. With the cost of living going up, the last thing anyone needs is to be lumped with bills to have their cars repaired.”

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