Possible reprieve for stolen vehicle squad

One of the last police stolen vehicle squads in the country could be saved after MCN revealed plans for its closure.

A source said the decision to withdraw funding for the squad from next April was being re-examined after we helped highlight the importance of its work tackling organised bike thieves.

He said: “The official line is that it’s still going in April but there are lots of cogs turning and meetings going on behind the scenes where it’s being readdressed and we’re having to restate what we do.

“We’re waiting to find out what the conclusion of further meetings will be. We’ve had a lot of support and MCN’s articles have helped.

“It’s early days and it all has to go up to senior board level. We’re told there will be an important meeting in October and we may find out what’s going to happen after that.”

The Unit has fought bike thieves in a series of undercover stings.

In June the Met released an official statement saying the squad would close in April as shrinking budgets had led to “difficult decisions”.