Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams went on patrol with officers from Staffordshire Police recently to witness the work that is being done to tackle vehicle crime in the county.
The Commissioner met with officers from Operation Bormus, a team set up specifically to reduce vehicle theft and target offenders using the county’s road network, to find out more about the work they do.
Following a briefing at Codsall Police Station, the Commissioner joined PC Alexander Lloyd-Davies and his colleagues from Operation Bormus, Staffordshire Police Roads Policing Unit and West Midlands Police on joint patrol starting in South Staffordshire.
Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams said: “It was great to witness first-hand the hard work that’s going into Operation Bormus and tackling vehicle crime in Staffordshire.
“It’s clear just how much the Op Bormus team enjoy their work and the service they deliver to victims of vehicle theft is so important.
“It was also good to go out in a response car that has recently been fitted with the latest ANPR technology as part of a £500,000 investment from my office to keep roads safe.”
Since its creation, Operation Bormus has led to 129 arrests and 57 charges with officers also keen to educate people on the things they can do to protect their vehicles from thieves. This includes not leaving your car unattended while it defrosts and keeping keyless car keys in a faraday pouch.
There has also been a significant reduction in reports of vehicle thefts which were down 32% in December 2023 (compared to December 2022).
Detective Inspector David Rowlands, who oversees Op Bormus for Staffordshire Police, said: “We don’t underestimate the profound impact that vehicle theft can have on people, businesses and livelihoods.
“The only way we’re going to continue making progress in this area is by being proactive. We want to identify more of the individuals and organised groups taking vehicles and target them robustly.
“We want to make Staffordshire an increasingly difficult place for thieves to offend and to best protect the hard-earned belongings of our communities alongside local partners.”
To watch a video from the Commissioner’s patrol with the Op Bormus team, visit: https://youtu.be/BM5CQf6E4U8?si=lN3O_ZYvtX4XLdlK
For more information about simple steps you can take to keep your vehicle safe, visit: Crime prevention advice | Staffordshire Police
