A joint operation led by West Midlands police involving the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and other police forces in the Midlands has smashed a gang of prolific criminals operating in the Midlands.

The operation – code named Operation Wombat – resulted in the gang of 6 criminals recently receiving jail sentences of more than 25 years. During January last year the group stole vehicles, which were then used to ram-raid businesses throughout the Midlands. West Midlands, West Mercia, Staffordshire and Warwickshire police forces worked with the ABI to trap the thieves. The ABI provided several vehicles and other equipment.

The success of the joint operation comes as over 80 representatives from crime fighting agencies and insurers meet today (6 December) at the Association of British Insurers’ Annual Crime and Fraud Seminar in Birmingham to look at how the growth in organised crime and insurance fraud can be reduced. Speakers include experts from Europol, the police, National Criminal Intelligence Service,the NHS and insurers.

John Wagstaff, Manager of the Association’s Crime and Fraud Prevention Bureau, who is chairing the conference, said:

“Increasingly, insurance companies are being hit by highly organised crime. These crimes often result in large insurance claims, inevitably leading to higher premiums for honest policyholders. The industry recognises that the most effective way to tackle this problem is by working in partnership with other agencies such as the police. The success of Operation Wombat shows just how successful this partnership approach can be.”

Detective Chief Inspector Malcolm Coall, from West Midlands police who co-ordinated the operation said:

“The success of this operation shows that careful police work and meticulous planning works. This group were committing a huge number of offences. They would steal high performance cars and use them to ram-raid businesses, normally service stations, where they would fill dustbins with cigarettes and other goods. The assistance provided by the Association was much appreciated and helped in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.“

Insurers are increasingly becoming targets of organised crime. Speaking at the seminar Detective Superintendent Bryan Drew, Head of Strategic and Specialist Intelligence Branch at the National Criminal Intelligence Service said:

“The complex and well planned nature of much organised crime presents major challenges for society, including crime prevention agencies and insurers. Fraud has become a major issue, which attracts organised gangs of criminals. Insurers are vulnerable to such attacks, as well as other organised crime such as theft and illegal export of vehicles.”

Notes

1. Should you wish to record a TV/radio interview, either pre-recorded or live on the day, with either the Association of British Insurers or a representative from West Midlands police or Detective Superintendent Drew, please contact Malcolm Tarling on 020 7216 7410 (home: 020 8217 9510) or John Wagstaff on: 020 7216 7492.
   
   
2. It is not just organised crime that hits insurers. The Associations fraud cheatline has received over 3000 calls in the last year from people with information about suspected insurance fraud. One particular call, which resulted in prosecution, involved a Staffordshire woman, who together with her best friend, hired a hit man to kill her husband while he was asleep so that she could collect £95 000 in insurance. The husband managed to fight off the attack and lived. The woman was jailed for 3 years for conspiracy to murder.
   
   
3. Enquiries to-

   – Malcolm Tarling, ABI 020 7216 7410, 020 8297 9510 (home)– John Wagstaff, ABI 07712 841181 (mobile)– Mark Steels, National Criminal Intelligence Service 020 7238 8431– West Midlands Police Press Office 0121 626 5858

   
   
4. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.