Five men have been arrested following a series of early morning police raids targeting a suspected organised crime group behind a spate of vehicle thefts across Essex.
Officers from Southend and Castle Point & Rochford Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs), backed by the Operational Support Group and Dog Unit, carried out coordinated strikes at properties in Southend, Basildon, Westcliff and Leigh on Tuesday 15 April 2025.
The operation named ‘Op Crotone’ was aimed at dismantling a gang who were believed to be stealing vehicles and selling them on for criminal gain.
A total of five men were arrested:
- A 33-year-old from Leigh
- A 31-year-old from Westcliff
- Two men from Southend, aged 27 and 34
- A 40-year-old from Basildon, who handed himself in at Southend Police Station later that day
Four of the men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. The fifth – the 34-year-old from Southend – was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft only.
During the operation, police used hydraulic tools and battering rams to force entry into the targeted addresses. Inside, they seized a haul of suspected criminal evidence including multiple car keys, vehicle log books, mobile phones, bicycles, and a substantial quantity of cash. Officers also discovered suspected Class A and B drugs and several tools thought to have been used in the theft of vehicles.
Sergeant Alex Farr of Southend NPT commented:
“Preventing the theft of vehicles – and catching those responsible – is a priority for the force because we understand the huge impact this crime has on innocent members of the public.
“By targeting car thieves, we’re also disrupting other organised criminals and keeping the county safe. Our approach is working – vehicle theft is down, and solved rates are up across Essex year-on-year. We’re not stopping here either.”
Crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Leigh
As part of the wider operation, officers issued a closure notice on a property in Danbury Close, Leigh. The move comes amid concerns about anti-social behaviour and disorder linked to the address.
A closure notice prevents anyone from entering the property unless specifically named. Police will now attend court within 48 hours to apply for a full three-month closure order, after which possession action will be taken.
Anita McGinley, Housing Community Safety Manager at South Essex Homes, said:
“This closure order is a crucial step in eliminating the anti-social behaviour associated with this property, ensuring the wellbeing and safety of local residents. We will continue to monitor activity and encourage anyone who sees breaches of the order to contact Essex Police.”
Stolen vehicles intercepted at Essex port
The arrests follow earlier successes for Essex Police’s Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit, which recently prevented the export of six stolen cars which had been packed into shipping containers at an Essex port.
On 1 April, officers acted on a tip-off about a stolen Toyota CHR travelling along the M25. Although the car vanished into a sea of shipping containers at the port, officers returned the next day and, with help from port staff, found not one but three stolen Toyota CHRs in a single container.
Then on 4 April, another stolen vehicle – a Lexus NX450 – was tracked to the same location. In just 10 minutes, officers pinpointed the container, which had three Lexus vehicles stacked inside.
All six cars were confirmed stolen and were recovered.
Government crackdown on keyless car theft
According to government data, an estimated 370 vehicles are stolen every day in England and Wales, with 40% of these involving signal-scrambling technology. Organised gangs are increasingly targeting newer cars by exploiting electronic vulnerabilities.
The Essex Police action comes as the UK government introduces tough new laws to tackle the surge in high-tech car theft.
Criminals are increasingly using signal jammers, keyless repeaters, and other electronic gadgets to steal cars – devices that, until now, could only be prosecuted if directly linked to a specific crime.
Under new legislation announced this week as part of the government’s flagship Crime and Policing Bill, anyone caught possessing, importing, adapting, or distributing these devices without a legitimate reason could face up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine.
Minister for Policing, Crime and Fire Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, said:
“These thefts have a devastating effect on victims. We are introducing new laws to tackle this issue at source. This is what our Safer Streets mission and Plan for Change are all about.”
The move is backed by RAC head of policy Simon Williams, who said:
“Outlawing the possession and distribution of signal jammers cannot come soon enough. Having your car stolen is not only a violation – it causes massive stress, disruption, and drives up insurance costs.”