A MAN is to appear in court over his alleged involvement with a ‘complex and sophisticated chop shop’ discovered by police.

Officers found hundreds of car parts belonging to 22 stolen vehicles from across the country in Victoria Mill, Accrington.

Police attended the unit in Victoria Street on November 3, 2016 after being given information from people living nearby regarding ‘suspicious activity’.

Officers said the investigation took more than a year to complete and found most of the cars were acquired through burglaries.

Police said the victims of the car thefts could face lasting effects due to the ‘high impact’ of the crimes.

Adam Greenwood, of White Ash Lane, Oswaldtwistle, has been reported for summons with offences of handling stolen goods after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

PC Neil Ogden said: “This was complex investigation that has taken over 12 months to complete.

“This was a professional and sophisticated set-up with most of the cars stolen by means of burglary which has a high impact on the victims involved.

“The thought of someone breaking into your home and the intrusion has a lasting effect.

“There is now one less place for offenders to dispose of their stolen vehicles in Lancashire and I hope this sends out the message that we will catch you and we will prosecute you.”

Cars involved were from areas such as Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Merseyside and Cheshire.

Police officers said Greenwood will appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court in the coming weeks.