- Criminal groups focus more on stripping stolen cars to transport parts
- Campers, boat engines targeted by thieves across Europe
- New “chophouses” found in operation JAD Mobile 5, cars and parts seized at borders
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, criminal gangs involved in car theft around Europe have focused on stripping stolen cars into parts to make it easier to move them across borders. And, amid growing interest among travellers seeking to avoid flying, campers have become a favourite target for car thieves. These are among the main findings of an operation led by Frontex targeting organised criminal groups.
The 12-day operation that took place this month involved law enforcement officers from 23 countries carried out intensified checks in several locations along the EU’s external borders. It led to the seizure of 522 stolen cars and various car parts and boat engines, as well as the discovery of four so-called chophouses where stolen cars were quickly stripped into parts that can then be smuggled across the borders.
“We are seeing some new developments when it comes to car theft. Due to border closures, criminal networks started to move car parts rather than entire vehicles across borders. We also see more and more stolen rental and leased cars, as well as campers. The demand on the market for such vehicles is clearly growing.
“When it comes to stolen cars, it’s a race against time. A car stolen in front of someone’s house at 8 pm can end up dismantled into parts only four hours later – then it will much more difficult to track down,” said Marcin Skowronek, a Frontex expert coordinating the operation.
The operation, known as Joint Action Day (JAD) Mobile 5, targeted serious and organised cross-border crime across Europe. It mostly focused on the detection of stolen cars and car parts, but as these crimes often go hand in hand with other criminal activities, it also targeted people smuggling and related document fraud.