West Midlands 'Car Cannibals' Admit to Large-Scale Vehicle Stripping Operation
Two men have pleaded guilty to a major conspiracy involving car stripping, commonly referred to as 'car cannibalism', across the West Midlands region. Mohammed Khan and Mohammed Haydar, both aged 23, admitted to the offences at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, marking a significant breakthrough in a three-year police investigation.
Extensive Offences and Social Media Bragging
Khan pleaded guilty to all 98 offences, while Haydar admitted to 20, with the crimes taking place between December 2022 and October 2024. The duo targeted parked cars, swiftly stripping vehicles of parts such as headlights, bumpers, mirrors, and bonnets within minutes. This left car owners unable to use their vehicles for daily tasks, causing serious distress.
Investigators revealed that Khan and Haydar filmed themselves during the thefts and posted on social media, boasting about their activities with photos of stripped vehicles and stolen bumpers. This brazen behavior added to the evidence gathered by West Midlands Police.
Police Investigation and Collaboration
West Midlands Police's vehicle crime team conducted a thorough investigation, executing multiple warrants at the suspects' home addresses and making arrests that led to charges. Officers analyzed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and performed forensic examinations to identify Khan and Haydar as the offenders.
The force also collaborated with Birmingham City Football Club after supporters raised concerns about vehicle crime in areas surrounding St Andrews at Knighthead Park on matchdays, where some of the stripping offences occurred.
Sentencing and Officer Statement
Both men are scheduled to be sentenced in June. DC Choudhury, who led the investigation, stated, 'Both Haydar and Khan were meticulous in their offending. They carefully planned each theft, causing serious distress to victims left with incomplete vehicles. Thankfully, our extensive investigation uncovered almost 100 cannibalism offences, ensuring they will spend time behind bars.'
This case highlights the impact of organized vehicle crime on communities and the diligent work of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice.
