Dozens of stolen supercars smuggled abroad are returned to UK
Thirty supercars stolen and illegally exported to Thailand have been returned to the UK after an eight-year investigation.
A total of 35 high-end vehicles – including Range Rovers, Porsches, Mercedes, BMWs, and Lamborghinis – were taken, with a combined value of £6.5m, according to the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaCVIS).
They were obtained fraudulently on finance contracts from car dealerships across England in 2016 and 2017 before being shipped to Thailand, the agency said.
After an eight-year investigation led by NaCVIS, with the help of the Met Police, National Crime Agency, and the British and Thai embassies, multiple arrest warrants were executed and 30 of the cars were tracked down and seized in Bangkok.
Thai authorities in Bangkok with one of the stolen cars. Pic: National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service
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The vehicles have now arrived back in the UK through the Port of Southampton and are being stored in a warehouse nearby before being returned to their original dealerships.
Sharon Naughton, head of NaCVIS, said the organisation “will not rest until every avenue of investigation has been exhausted”.
“There is no time limit on our efforts to disrupt criminality and return proceeds obtained through illegal means,” she added.
A green Lamborghini recovered from Thailand. Pic: National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service
Pic: National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service
Jenny Simms, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for vehicle crime, said the offences have a “huge impact” on victims.
“The tireless work involved in this investigation reflects how seriously we take our role in tackling it,” she added.
Thirteen people have now been charged as a result of the investigation, the National Crime Agency said.
A man who died after being hit by a bus in Edinburgh has been named.
Michael Leneghen, 74, died after being struck at around 7.25pm on Saturday 2 November in the Cowgate area of the city.
On the day of the incident, police issued a warning for members of the public not to share distressing images and videos circulating online.
In a statement, Mr Leneghen’s family thanked members of the public and emergency services who were involved and asked for privacy.
A single-decker bus collided with Mr Leneghen, who was on foot, Police Scotland say.
Sergeant Paul Ewing of Edinburgh‘s road policing unit said the force’s thoughts were with Mr Leneghen’s family and friends “as well as everyone affected by this tragic incident”.
“Our enquiries remain ongoing. We have already spoken to a number of people who were in the area at the time and work is ongoing to check public and private CCTV footage,” he added.
“We are still keen to hear from anyone who has not yet spoken to police.”
Chief Inspector Trisha Clark, the local area commander, previously said police were “aware of videos and images circulating on social media which are causing distress to the deceased’s family”.
“We would ask members of the public not to share them out of respect for his family, and to report them to the relevant social media platform to prevent further circulation,” she added.
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Ms Clark added that while there had been a lot of speculation, it was an “isolated incident” and there was “no risk to the wider public”.
Officers have asked anyone with information which could help the police investigation to get in touch.
MP Mike Amesbury has been charged with common assault following an incident in Frodsham, Cheshire, last month.
The charge comes after a video emerged of him appearing to punch a man to the ground.
Cheshire Police said the 55-year-old will appear at a magistrates court at a later date to face the assault charge.
In a statement, police said the charge “relates to reports of an assault on a 45-year-old man on Main Street, Frodsham, which was reported to police at 2.48am on Saturday 26 October”.
Rosemary Ainslie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime division, said: “Following a review of the evidence provided by Cheshire Police, we have authorised a charge of common assault against Mike Amesbury MP, 55.
“The charge follows an alleged assault in Frodsham, Cheshire, on Saturday, 26 October 2024.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”
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In a statement, Mr Amesbury said: “I have today been summonsed to court to face a charge of common assault following an incident in Frodsham last month, which was deeply regrettable.
“I am continuing to cooperate with police and given this is an ongoing case I cannot comment further.”
Labour suspended Mr Amesbury from the party so he is now an independent MP for Runcorn and Helsby.
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