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Police set up special unit to tackle spate of carjackings in Bradford Police set up special unit to tackle spate of carjackings in Bradford Police set up special unit to tackle spate of carjackings in Bradford
(35 minutes later)
Police in Yorkshire have set up a special unit to deal with a spate of carjackings in Bradford after 26 incidents in the past 10 weeks, including one involving a mother and baby.Police in Yorkshire have set up a special unit to deal with a spate of carjackings in Bradford after 26 incidents in the past 10 weeks, including one involving a mother and baby.
The latest victim was a 72-year-old man who was shot with an airgun in a pub car park in Heaton in north-west Bradford on Tuesday evening. A masked gang then tried to steal his black Jaguar XJ.The latest victim was a 72-year-old man who was shot with an airgun in a pub car park in Heaton in north-west Bradford on Tuesday evening. A masked gang then tried to steal his black Jaguar XJ.
A 23-year-old man was arrested and then bailed pending further inquiries, a West Yorkshire police spokesman said on Thursday. The victim was released from hospital after undergoing surgery to remove the pellets in his hand and neck, the spokesman added.A 23-year-old man was arrested and then bailed pending further inquiries, a West Yorkshire police spokesman said on Thursday. The victim was released from hospital after undergoing surgery to remove the pellets in his hand and neck, the spokesman added.
The spokesman confirmed that a dedicated team of detectives had been set up to investigate 26 carjackings or attempted carjackings since 1 October.The spokesman confirmed that a dedicated team of detectives had been set up to investigate 26 carjackings or attempted carjackings since 1 October.
In one of the other attacks, on 26 November, a woman was in her silver Volkswagen Polo GTI outside Shezzaan’s restaurant in Halifax Road, when two men wearing face coverings approached the vehicle and demanded she get out.In one of the other attacks, on 26 November, a woman was in her silver Volkswagen Polo GTI outside Shezzaan’s restaurant in Halifax Road, when two men wearing face coverings approached the vehicle and demanded she get out.
The woman, who was in the car with an 11-month-old child, was able to remove the child before the men drove off towards Odsal Top. Neither the woman nor the child were hurt.The woman, who was in the car with an 11-month-old child, was able to remove the child before the men drove off towards Odsal Top. Neither the woman nor the child were hurt.
One of the men appeared to have a metal object in his hand. One of the suspects was believed to be wearing a hooded top with a grey body, back and hood and darker grey or black sleeves.One of the men appeared to have a metal object in his hand. One of the suspects was believed to be wearing a hooded top with a grey body, back and hood and darker grey or black sleeves.
DCI Ian Bryar, of Bradford district CID, told the Bradford Telegraph and Argus that the police were greatly concerned by the wave of similar crimes.DCI Ian Bryar, of Bradford district CID, told the Bradford Telegraph and Argus that the police were greatly concerned by the wave of similar crimes.
“I’ve brought a team together from the Bradford organised crime unit to tackle this specific type of crime because we have seen a noticeable spike.“I’ve brought a team together from the Bradford organised crime unit to tackle this specific type of crime because we have seen a noticeable spike.
“It is of great concern to us. We do not yet know the motives, such as whether the cars are destined for overseas, for selling on or simply for joy-riding but they all appear to be German models or high-performance cars.“It is of great concern to us. We do not yet know the motives, such as whether the cars are destined for overseas, for selling on or simply for joy-riding but they all appear to be German models or high-performance cars.
“We have recovered some of the vehicles, though not all of the 26 were stolen; some were attempts but we are still regarding all incidents as very serious,” he told the paper.“We have recovered some of the vehicles, though not all of the 26 were stolen; some were attempts but we are still regarding all incidents as very serious,” he told the paper.
He added: “The shooting on Tuesday evening was the first to have a firearm involved. I don’t want people to stop enjoying their cars, but to be vigilant. If they see something suspicious they should contact us on 101. We also suggest locking the car doors when they are in the vehicle for additional safety.He added: “The shooting on Tuesday evening was the first to have a firearm involved. I don’t want people to stop enjoying their cars, but to be vigilant. If they see something suspicious they should contact us on 101. We also suggest locking the car doors when they are in the vehicle for additional safety.
“These sort of crimes, however distressing, are relatively low in number but we are determined to address them which is why we’ve brought on a dedicated team of detectives.”“These sort of crimes, however distressing, are relatively low in number but we are determined to address them which is why we’ve brought on a dedicated team of detectives.”
The latest crime statistics show that victim-based crime involving vehicles is up 16% year on year in West Yorkshire, compared with a national average increase of 4%. Some 23,285 such offences were recorded in the year up to June 2016.The latest crime statistics show that victim-based crime involving vehicles is up 16% year on year in West Yorkshire, compared with a national average increase of 4%. Some 23,285 such offences were recorded in the year up to June 2016.