FOUR men have been arrested after a £750,000 ‘chop shop’ was raided by police.

Officers said they found parts from at least 30 cars at the Multi Vehicle Breakers Ltd site in Green Lane, Padiham, and are identifying where they have come from. The raid took place at 11.30am on Thursday.

A chop shop is a place where stolen vehicles are dismantled so the parts can be sold or used to repair other stolen vehicles.

Police vehicles could be seen outside the business yesterday (FRIDAY) and various vehicle parts could be seen stacked on pallets.

Detective Inspector Vinny De Curtis described the haul as a ‘significant discovery’.

Officers came across a suspected stolen Audi parked outside a breakers yard and saw a man getting into it.

Following his arrest officers raided the breakers yard and discovered stolen vehicle parts over three floors of the property, police said.

Three men aged 26, 27 and 39, all from Oldham, were arrested on suspicion of theft and a fourth man. aged 21, also from Oldham, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

They have been released on bail pending further enquiries until February 7.

Det Insp De Curtis said: “This was a significant discovery which came off the back of a proactive stop check by an officer.

“Enquiries are now on-going to identify the parts found and establish where the vehicles have come from.

“We do not tolerate the theft of cars and will work hard to ensure that anyone who is involved in vehicle crime is brought to account.”

Councillors have spoken of their concern at the discovery.

Cllr John Harbour, who represents the Gawthorpe ward on Burnley Borough Council, said: “As far as I am concerned it is completely unacceptable and I am glad the police have taken positive action over it.

“I hope if this gets to court the culprits are dealt with in the strongest possible manner to get justice for the car owner’s who will have been left without their vehicles.

“I hope this acts as a message to others that this will not be tolerated in Padiham.”

A police spokesman said: “At around 11.30am on November 10 officers came across a suspected stolen Audi parked outside a breakers yard on Green Lane, Padiham.

“Following a search of the premises, officers found dismantled car parts from around 30 cars with an estimated value in excess of £750,000.

“Enquiries are on-going to identify the vehicle parts and establish where they have come from.

“Three men aged 26, 27 and 39, all from Oldham, were arrested on suspicion of theft and a fourth man, aged 21, also from Oldham, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. All four have been bailed pending further enquiries until February 7.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.