Twelve arrests and £137,000 worth of stolen vehicles seized in proactive operation

An operation to tackle vehicle crime in the Blaenau Gwent area has recovered £137,800 worth of stolen bikes and cars and led to 12 arrests within its first two weeks.

Operation Athena, a proactive policing operation involving neighbourhood, Roads Policing and Specialist Operations (RPSO) and crime prevention teams, was launched on Tuesday 30 September.

In conjunction with this neighbourhood initiative, detectives investigating the theft of off-road bikes arrested a man and recovered 13 vehicles in Ebbw Vale.

The man was released on police bail.

Sergeant Marc Porter, from the Blaenau Gwent neighbourhood team, said:

“I want to reassure residents of Blaenau Gwent that we’re listening to your concerns and are committed to addressing the theft of bikes and cars, and the theft from vehicles in your area.

“Gwent Police recognises that vehicle crime is unacceptable and distressing and can have a major impact on those living and working in our communities.

“The first two weeks of Operation Athena have been very encouraging with departments across Gwent Police coming together to tackle crime and keep residents’ vehicles safe.

“We’ve arrested a dozen people so far - with one suspect accountable for seven offences – and our efforts to tackle this crime are continuing.

“We will continue to target hotspots throughout Blaenau Gwent and provide advice to residents and businesses on the steps they can take to deter and prevent vehicle crime from happening to them.”

This week also marks Operation Alliances, a National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) initiative, which intensifies efforts to tackle vehicle related crime across the country.

Advice on how to keep your vehicle safe:

Don’t leave items on display | Power leads, SatNavs and mounts, stereo front panels, coins, sunglasses, tools, clothing and bags should be removed from the vehicle or placed out of sight.

Keys and ignition fobs should be kept safe and out of sight and reach | The most common ways to steal a car or van is to take the keys or ignition fob, either when left in the vehicle or from your home through burglary. Ensure keys are not left near unlocked doors or open windows in your home to ensure they are not on show or easily available to opportunist thieves.

Always lock and close the windows of your vehicle when unattended | On the drive, the petrol station forecourt or when parking, an unlocked vehicle is the easiest to steal or steal from. When away from home, consider using a Park Mark approved car park.

Fit theft-resistant number plate fittings | Stolen number plates are commonly used to hide the identity of stolen vehicles. Use one-way clutch head screws to secure plates.

Keep electronic keys safe | Thieves are using scanners to read and copy electronic keys and steal vehicles without the actual key. When not in use keep your electronic key in a security pouch to such as a Faraday bag and check if the bag or pouch is still working every few months.

Activate any security devices, such as alarms and immobilisers, when leaving your car unattended.

Choose your car park wisely | If possible, always try to park in well-lit and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award. To find one, simply check out Park Mark.

If you know the address and location of where a suspected stolen bike or vehicle is being stored or if you want to report a theft offence to us, please contact us via our website, by calling 101, or direct messaging us on our Facebook or X social media pages.

Alternatively, you can make an anonymous report by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.

In an emergency, always dial 999.