SEVERAL luxury car parts worth thousands of pounds were found by officers when a raid took place on a farmhouse.

Inside the 'chop shop' – a place where stolen vehicles are dismantled for their parts – officers found parts for Jaguars, BMWs, Porsches and Mercedes cars.

Officers executed a search warrant at a property in Blackburn Road in Oswaldtwistle at just after 10am on Friday, November 13, and found significant amounts of high-value vehicle parts, as well as semi-dismantled cars.

The large chop shop spanned multiple rooms of a farmhouse and two workshops.

Officers from the Burnley and Blackburn Taskforce, police dog unit and the drone team carried out the raid after tip-offs were received by members of the public.

No arrests have been made at this stage, but enquiries are ongoing.

PC Katie Duerden, a Neighbourhood Police Task Force officer, said: “We have uncovered a significant amount of vehicle parts and our investigation is very much ongoing to bring those responsible to justice and identify the many victims of this crime.

“I would ask any witnesses or anybody with information to contact police.

"This discovery came as a result of community intelligence and I hope it shows that Lancashire Constabulary listens to and acts on information received form the public.

“Chop shops are dangerous and provide a thriving market for car thieves. Stolen cars are sold on to these chop shops where they are quickly stripped for parts.

"Often, these parts are then used to repair a car that’s been written off by an insurance company and bought by the chop shop as salvage.

“Chop shops are putting lives at risk, creating a demand for stolen cars, and damaging the reputation of legitimate salvage yards.”

Officers are appealing for anybody with information about the chop shop to come forward.

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner said: “This operation is a fantastic example of the work that officers continue to carry out across Lancashire to help keep people safe, tackling local priorities that matter to people.

“It is also clear from this operation how different teams within the force work around the clock to tackle crime in the county. The people of Lancashire can be assured that our officers have the resources, skills and determination to protect our communities.”

n Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 0247 of November 13, 2020. Alternatively, contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.