Specialist detectives from the Property Crime Squad have worked together with local police across New South Wales central west in their on-going crackdown on organised car theft and re-birthing.
As part of Strike Force Granite – an ongoing operation to target organised car theft and re-birthing – the Property Crime Squad’s motor unit visited Chifley, Canobolas, Lachlan, Orana and Mudgee local area commands, to enforce compliance of local auto-dismantler and smash repair businesses.
Local police were trained on the latest techniques to combat motor crime, before police joined staff from Roads and Maritime Services and the Department of Fair Trading to conduct inspections at 16 motor dealers and motor repairers across the area.
Four inspections were carried out in Chifley, four in Canobolas, two in Lachlan, two in Orana and four in Mudgee. As a result of the inspections, ten infringement notices were issued by Roads and Maritime Officers to an auto-wrecker in Dubbo.
Three penalty notices are to be issued to a business in Kelso, three infringements will be issued to an auto shop in Dubbo, and a motor dealer in Mudgee will also be issued with a number of infringements in the near future.
The owner of an auto-dismantlers in Parkes will be issued with a future court attendance notice for knowingly possessing an identity plate not on correct vehicle.
The commander of the NSW Police Force’s Western Region, assistant commissioner Geoff McKechnie, says the advice local police had received from the Property Crime Squad’s motor unit was vital in helping them tackle vehicle re-birthing.
“Local police officers gained a lot from last week’s visit by the Property Crime Squad, and we will be conducting regular business inspections in the months ahead,” McKechnie says.
Detective inspector Anthony Holton from the Property Crime Squad says the motor unit will continue to work closely with local area commands to combat the illegal activities of organised car rebirthing rackets.
“We will be conducting regular visits to rural and regional locations throughout NSW to help local police officers investigate and arrest anyone involved in organised car theft and re-birthing,” Holton says.
“Despite the techniques we are employing, and the strong working partnerships we have forged with other agencies, the role the community plays in combating this type of activity cannot be overstated.”
NSW Fair Trading commissioner, Rod Stowe, also says his officers will continue to work collaboratively with the NSW Police Force and Roads and Maritime Services on the regulation of the motor vehicle repair industry and motor dealers.
“Any breaches identified will be acted on,” Stowe says.
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