'Car Thieves' - Documentary (1996 - Channel 4)

'Car Thieves' Documentary from 1996 that was shown on Channel 4. Shows the polices attempts to tackle car crime, 'ringers' and cars being stolen to be shipped abroad. *RE-UPLOADED WITH NO BREAKS AS PREVIOUS VERSION HAD THREE MINUTES OF BLACK SCREEN!!*

[@relax-tn1hx]

This takes me back to the good ole days: happy mondays, oasis and blur, shell suits, euro 96. It all seemed easier and simpler back then? I would happily throwaway my mobile phone and the internet for sure! Cheers

[@simonlloyd7557]

im glad youre joking

[@FTW523.]

I think that all the time

[@richardclarke376]

youre not alone pal

[@geckolor]

Two 'Department of Transport' officials were SHOT DEAD as they investigated the theft of MOT certificates!

[@Bluetoothedshark]

Right with you on that mate!

[@Is100doesskids]

“Expert mechanics” reads vin, reads piece of paper. Is it the same number... yes.

[@Is100doesskids]

@@obviouslytwo4u well I wouldn’t say that’s why, I’d say it’s because of all the false stories and made up accusations

[@xdcfvgxdcfvg9244]

This time they had respect. These days zero. Pigs

[@BrayTube]

What a final shot! I'd say camera, editor and director all remember first seeing that. Also, even though I was 26 when this was broadcast I don't remember the 90's looking *so much* like the 80's. I really enjoyed this!

[@markf4720]

I stopped watching at the credits so glad you made that comment! Impressive. And I completely agree, this video and others from the 90s look really dated now, just like I remember when I saw 60s or 70s footage when I was a kid!

[@andrewmorgan2642]

I was 13. I was thinking the same. I don't remember it looking that dated! It looks like a long lost world now. The difference of fashion and technology between mid 90s and 2000 seemed huge. Meanwhile I can't see much visual change in the last 10years.

[@avancalledrupert5130]

@@andrewmorgan2642 nothing really changed since the S2 . I think progress has stopped. Everything has stopped there's nothing new people just pick bits from the past mix it up and resell it.

[@scoobysean555]

@@markf4720 I still think 1970 was 30 years ago 🤔😂

[@MeaHeaR]

@@scoobysean555 The Year 2071 is closer than 1970 was

[@Kennyde]

This takes me back to my younger years

[@wahillyman]

love you Frank!

[@markbutler3780]

Yup the old Toyota keys open and start anything lol

[@thomasmcdougall8059]

Shut up Frank you got bullied at school that's when you turned up your teath are as black as the M1

[@pod9538]

OHH PAAAT.

[@leeelliott175]

@@markbutler3780 so does a 5mm flat screw driver ha,sorry mate only messing

[@johnpartridge7623]

It's always the innocents who suffer because of the greed of others.

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

this applies to the entire world.

[@samspianos]

Everything is a rip off

[@curbyourshi1056]

When they hand themselves into the police especially.

[@Rain---]

6:25 Paul walker looked a lot different back then before fast and furious

[@howey935]

I remember Ladas their idea of luxury was a heated rear window to keep your hands warm whilst you push it.

[@billgriffiths1685]

Don't forget the Tow bar on the front.

[@marklittler784]

Air conditioning was provided by door windows that fell out when you over enthusiastically shut the door.

[@samsonwilkinson8090]

You mean Ladas?

[@billgriffiths1685]

@@samsonwilkinson8090 You ment Ladas.

[@onsomebits7486]

Skodas*

[@no1froggy]

Great when there is a camera about, I had my Cavalier stolen a while back & reported it stolen, I happened to find it in a local scrap yard so called the police, I was told they would look into it but nothing was ever done, bloody useless.

[@andrewwright.]

Many many people have stories like this about the police in the UK.

[@simonlloyd7557]

Same here. I had an MR2 Turbo stole. The pigs didn't even come out..i just got a civilian on the phone who gave me a crime number.

[@davidmccormick4319]

And nothing changes.

[@sonnytopboy4975]

@@simonlloyd7557 you should of told them that the thieves weren't wearing covid masks, it's the only time they do anything now days.

[@hightorrexplore4370]

How long is a while back mate 20 yrs?

[@c_holding8564]

Felt awful for the lady with the metro

[@nicnak4475]

She would have been entitled to claim the money back from the auction, covered by the buyers fee.

[@MrRichard57000]

i agree,that was sick

[@cookz-bs10gaming]

Funny thing about the English justice system- i was taken to court for £10 worth of weed and was hit with £165 fine and a £15 victim fee- the only victim was me as they stole my weed- this lady was sold a stolen car so they will take it from her- so they get the car Bk for the insurance company wot about the victim???

[@nicnak4475]

@@cookz-bs10gaming If it was a legit auction house she bought it from, she would have been covered by their insurance and got her money back.

[@blue0october260]

Man.....memories of cars I've driven, see most of the models in this video LOL Apart from 1 as it was a kit car. Thanks for the upload, love these old Re-Ups of Documentaries.

[@dommorton]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks for posting

[@snowmanbuzzfm]

Holy shit...I used to work with Paul Walker when he was a bus engineer at Hyde Road bus depot in 1991. Madness.

[@rickydub6950]

Thanks for posting this, 2nd time i've watched it 👍😁

[@liamschannel6294]

This is gonna be a good watch, can tell theres gonna be some mint old cars in this👌

[@christopherlock4703]

life was simpler back then. then i was young 23/24 yr old. no intrusion in life, to much facebook and twitter. no wonder peolple moan about trolling.

[@Gecko....]

Nostalgia distorts your memory, in reality the past wasn't that great you just remember the good times and not all the boring, worrying, sad times.

[@nickraschke4737]

This is making some sense of a 528 BMW I owned in the 90’s here in Australia. It was the wrong spec, 4 speed manual box and rear discs instead of 5 speed and rear drums. Was a bugger to get parts for.

[@robmthe1st]

The police wouldn’t even bother going that far these days I bet.

[@lukepeita7026]

Yeah true that sign Crafter everything is data based these days they can point a scanner at the car 1minute later and they've got a result

[@desdicadoric]

No too busy looking for people offending transvestites on the internet

[@peterg791]

For sure the cops these days would not do anything ,because that would mean that they would loose their back handers from the criminal car thieves

[@howey935]

I felt really bad for that woman with the white Metro. I hope she got her money back from the auction company

[@nicnak4475]

Yes that's why you pay an indemnity fee to the auction, which goes on top of the purchase price and should cover it.

[@howey935]

@@nicnak4475 if it was a legit auction company i know theres been some fly by night autions selling real scrappers made to look OK tgen they disappear. Hopefully it was a legit aution house.

[@disillusionedanglophile7680]

I feel bad for anybody who owns a British car.

[@triggeredleftyvegan6004]

@@nicnak4475 Lucky In Australia its included in auction fee.

[@skylined5534]

@@disillusionedanglophile7680 I feel bad for anyone who knows next to fcuk all about something they shit-talk.

[@mattwebb6056]

19:19. Martin Wakeman's been with the Stolen Vehicle Squad at GMP for donkeys years. He also featured on the BBC One series X Cars in the 90s and Car Wars in the 2000s. I wondered if he'd make an appearance on this when I stumbled across it and I wasn't disappointed!

[@harrisk6031]

Thank you for uploading, remember watching this on tele many years ago... Great upload

[@OAKSEY-wd4vs]

Me too i never used to miss these shows

[@billgriffiths1685]

Taught me everything I needed to get started.

[@carolinehoward180]

This programme should be called “Ringing for Beginners” 🤣

[@billgriffiths1685]

Taught me everything I needed to get started.

[@marklittler784]

Yeah that's why you leave your dash cam running after an accident so you get the face of the other driver or use a button hole camera pen camera or watch camera to covertly get their face in case the car is on cloned plates. Better still phone the police and claim your injured so they turn up or at least phone them and check the plate isnt showing stolen.

[@richardharries5825]

I agree 100% with you on that.

[@annonymous3948]

Or, "Ringers 4 Beginners" - written like a private plate.

[@lettucefarm]

I had a car stolen in 1996, watching this to see if I can find it 😆. Never got over it 😢

[@triggeredleftyvegan6004]

What car was it?

[@lettucefarm]

@@triggeredleftyvegan6004 it was a 1992 Vauxhall Nova 1.5tdsx, J413OTT, they are quite valuable now.....

[@upanbyudesign5323]

Want to know how small New Zealand is? Detective Sergeant Ross Arden is the current New Zealand Prime Minsters father. 43.05

[@krislove1980]

Haha! I’m from the UK, was 16 when this was filmed, I now live in NZ… I can’t believe that no one has picked up on the fact that @43:30 they ring the NZ Police and ask to speak to the current NZ Prime Minister’s father Ross Ardern! 😂😂😂

[@joelfildes5544]

He’s got a lot to answer for…

[@D114BCW]

If you enjoyed watching this the X-Cars is a great series to watch on youtube too.

[@skylined5534]

Great series! And voiced by the lovely John Nettles!

[@UCCLdIk6R5ECGtaGm7oqO-TQ]

Sentence reduced from 4 years to some unknown amount before a return to life in his opulent mansion in the countryside.

[@Hamish..]

They should have seized all his personal assets under the proceeds of crime act

[@SAXONWARLORD1000AD]

HE LIVED IN A TERRACED HOUSE - watch again

[@nicholaskennedy1748]

Just to think, if this Mr. Big was 64 in '96, born in the early 1930's, probably had been involved with car theft since the 40's!

[@Makerveli]

I was 16 in 1996... life back then seems well ancient 🤣

[@lafingas555]

The woman at 32 mins husband look's like the lion from the wizard of ozz.

[@davidhallahan7903]

Put em up ...put em up

[@animal79thecat]

lol he does!

[@MosesDeLaRoses]

Ha ha fuckin great shout

[@simout3877]

Yes definitely 🤣🤣🤣👍

[@marclaw4511]

Most of us were probably driving ringers back then.

[@lukeeboy149]

Everyone is so calm I love it

[@herpsmaltwatta]

Copper at 33min 20sec is a sound man. That man with the lady in tears is a mouth breather.

[@Alexander_l322]

Yea lol

[@colallison6152]

Burnt out cars everywhere back in the 90s.

[@imreallydead.23]

I remember it well mk 1 fiestas and Vauxhall novas rallying around everywhere on the estate lol then finding them two days later burnt to a crisp

[@colallison6152]

@@imreallydead.23 Yes!. Lot of Vauxhall Astras as well.

[@marklittler784]

Yeah all the last of the cars without immobilisers.

[@cnevill2]

I think every Austin Montego was stolen and burned out in 1994

[@marklittler784]

@@cnevill2 Mine with a cut out switch was still going strong in 1999

[@caraudioreviewchannel2493]

Fantastic video good old days

[@andyfowler8274]

Amazing how he identified those vehicles

[@Mo_money_786]

'let's have a butchers' was a understatement 😂

[@jimmybrad156]

Love the "The Bill" font at 16:58

[@roberthatfull3816]

There was a lot of stolen cars back then they where easier to take and didnt have the security locks or keys programed to the car i worked in a body shop where we got loads of stolen recovered cars to repair we had pop keys to get in them if they didnt have keys but most where a screw driver and scaffold bar to break the steering lock these days they just drag the cars off with a ihab or breakdown truck . I heard of a crazy way a landrover was stolen with 4 hubcaps and a tub of greese the theifs jacked it up put hubcaps under each wheel and greased the bottom of the hubcaps and pushed it round the corner to a waiting recovery truck this was in the mid 90s off someones front drive .

[@andrewpaine2148]

Lol the hubcap trick ah man I remember seeing that being done with a fiesta XR2 from someone drive haha

[@Alexander_l322]

They can nick brand new range rovers and the like with an obd2 jobby and a key scanner thing these days

[@Motorized-BikerUk]

The words, price, ladas and almost doubled.. i spat my coffee at that point 🤣

[@simonlloyd7557]

some nice examples are worth almost £10.

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

for some reason the russians love them lol

[@matthewgodwin3050]

Heartbreaking to see this, especially the woman with the white Metro. It's a great shame that the police don't put as much effort into recovering the victim's money as they do into recovering the vehicle for the insurance company. I wonder if the officers realise just how much they've wrecked her life. Something tells me they couldn't care a damn.

[@markoni2536]

What if they steal the car?

[@limpet7r63]

It wasn't the officers who stole the car, changed its ID, and ripped the woman off.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

@@limpet7r63 I know it wasn't, but the point I was making is that the crime didn't stop with the theft of the car. The people who bought the cars in good faith were duped out of large sums of money and the police did nothing to recover what was in effect stolen from them. The original owner and the insurance company were made whole again, but the victims were not. The police only solved half the crime, which I don't think is good enough.

[@riderzinc]

It still shows on the dvla, last v5 issued 17th feb 94, Untaxed since 1st Aug 97

[@klenchmecheeks9377]

Would ya though?

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

*WOW - Back when police actually did their job*

[@MUFC1933]

Back when a Mini was a Mini 😁

[@procta2343]

@@MUFC1933 and cars were proper cars

[@hanniffydinn6019]

When all coppers had a moustache! 🤯🤯🤯🤓🤓🤓🤓😎😎😎

[@billgriffiths1685]

It's part of the undercover uniform.

[@jjc7729]

😂😂😂😂 .

[@Motorized-BikerUk]

Reminds me of DC tosh lines off of the bill back in the days haha

[@simonlloyd7557]

even the ones with tits

[@Tony_7791]

43:10 Ross Ardern of the nz police is nz pm Jacinda Arderns old man!

[@TAXCOLLECTOR-mx3mg]

Nurses far deserve some humanity at least. I hope her community pools in and help her.

[@lewis72]

40:56 Jaguar XJ-S Gold GDM 212X Date of first registration: April 1982 Tax due: 1 December 1996

[@drewsteroriginals4564]

You know when you are old when you remember watching this in 1996... Must watch Hot Fuzz again.

[@drewsteroriginals4564]

@@richardjames1431 true, a simpler place

[@AAAUTOSLONDON]

" Ford don't leave cars haning around for 12 months" Lol Did you see all the fords lined up in Dagenham? they were there for years!

[@user-zt4ry9hm9u]

No but British Leyland did lol!

[@hantusangap]

ford is old man car.use it for buying meat on market.all usa car is a rubbish.

[@ivornappinion9406]

1986 D plates were rotten

[@spaceageMrT]

0:52 Well... because you and the camera are here so I need to make myself look good, Good and mysterious.....

[@davemonday5381]

the biggest crime here are the moustaches. Send-um down.

[@gdcodurham.]

It was 90's

[@davemonday5381]

@@gdcodurham. they must all. be part time porn star’s it’s the only expatiation. Just jumping to conclusions. Like there doing. I met these jokers once. There has stupid as they look.

[@richsmith3300]

What about number stamping on chassis and firewall what do they do there?

[@TheModellingNews]

If the cops take your car that you bought they should at least get the money back for you from whoever you bought it from...

[@richardharries5825]

Problem is what happens if that individual has now spent that money.

[@annax5212]

FAX ...Thanks I feel old now

[@ebeb9037]

All FORDS back then had the key number in the boot lock. Remove the boot lock and buy a key from a ford DEALER.

[@gdcodurham.]

You bang on pull boot lock out of capri 2.8i go dealers new key and away you go Airport car parks were favourites as you had car until date on ticket back then

[@ebeb9037]

@@gdcodurham. buy a set of ringer plates, and if you had to take a chase so be it . those were the days lol.

[@marklittler784]

I had a Rover Montego with a cut out switch they tried numerous times but never got it lol

[@marklittler784]

@Martin Never thought of that one, you could rig up the sunvisor so it only works when its down lol

[@med86win]

Mate of mine had a black 2.0turbo EFI chipped lowered, waste gate used to drive round Manchester in the late 90's blowing RS turbos into the weeds their faces where a picture.

[@marklittler784]

@@med86win Yeah the Montego's seemed fairly light cars those did have a reputation for being fast.

[@Mercmad]

The poster bill board for the metro was a hoot! 😁😁

[@marklittler784]

If you had a rare car or colour you could phone round the small number of dismantler's and with any luck find out who's got it, to their surprise.

[@Mo_money_786]

The 46 con reg plate must've been a obvious give away lol 😂

[@ebeb9037]

Disappearing LADA'S . Not where i'm from , nobody would be seen dead in a LADA.

[@nigeldowsett8560]

Then or now?

[@robsmithracing]

Russia brought most of them back! It’s ok to make jokes about them but they’re a lot more reliable in bad weather than most other cars.

[@johnelliott9962]

@@nigeldowsett8560 they were built solid I remember my Dad buying one with a faulty gearbox I helped strip it down and fixing it it was very robust I remember those days the youngest of today have no interest in how to fix fings as you no it's a throw a way would

[@nigeldowsett8560]

@@johnelliott9962 I've still got one :)

[@nigeldowsett8560]

@@robsmithracing I have a 1988 Riva estate. It is solid.

[@c3h50n023]

In comparison to modern "documentaries"; I prefer this format. (no overly dramatic music or commentary)

[@Marvindorfler1]

Watching these ' experts ' needlessly tear apart that fiesta rs turbo was like watching police squad. There are a load of ways to find out it was a ringer without having to rip it to bits like that.

[@mariogeis9558]

they checked out, that the ciao engine and rims of my piaggio was stolen, as they past by 1995 at the printing house where i did my apprenticeship as a printer. damn

[@salfordladcraigedeane2356]

Back in the day video, Excellent, glad they got there cars back, 😷😷🌍✌💖😷😷

[@peterstevenson5418]

2021 nothing has changed manchester and birmingham still high as hell for stolen audi s mercedes bmw stripped within the hour

[@UKLIVENews2017HD4K]

Caring is hard as it is without a car is jus unimaginable

[@Marc-so2cd]

A very good programme.

[@dellawrence4323]

The "expert mechanic" knows nothing, on Metros there is also a chassis number stamped into the panel under the windscreen that is welded on under the wings.

[@Thru-The-Lens]

DCI’s only thought before the final operation “anywhere to get a brew?”

[@AA-69]

All that work and wages for 4 bloody years !!! What message does that send out ?.. No wonder half the cops are taking back handers when the court dishes out sentences like that !! Of course was in "ill health", great when you a private doctor called jackanory 😠

[@jozzilion]

15:13 cop looks down the barrel of a gun to see if its a gun....

[@Defender-Guy]

Clearly not a revolver.

[@sbludba]

Reminds me of scrap yards in Trinidad in the 70s.

[@geoffisaac3511]

Are they real cooper's or are they from a comedy show?

[@mrsir9616]

A very interesting video, on how the UK police used to deal with stolen motors. Very surprised that they got shipped to NZ, of all places. I know that the UK police are very lax on stolen motors now, and its a real shame, as this crew of police, seem to be really good at getting the man behind the scenes of stolen motors. Tis a shame to see genuine people lose their money upon finding out that their car is or was stolen, or written off. Thanks for uploading.

[@MrSupercar55]

It’s all done for the cameras. In reality British police don’t do fuck all if your car gets stolen. As a UK resident, my parents have had their share of cars stolen and phoned 999 only to be put through to a useless police force that simply didn’t care and thus put no effort into pursuing the thieves. The world record for lowest theft rates for any nation is actually held by Saudi Arabia. The penalty for theft out there is amputation of the hands. Hardly surprising really. Only an idiot would fall afoul of a law that carries a penalty like that.

[@charlotteclarke4665]

48:43 That has to be the funniest thing I have seen in a long time!

[@skylined5534]

I bit of a nightmare at the local Maccies drive through!

[@bobthebass72]

The Cop in New Zealand’s Daughter is now The PM .

[@tarmac245]

Well spotted mate.

[@steviesmiler]

Bloody hell! How bizarre is that! 😊

[@johnsmith7676]

All the world's a stage. It's all theatre. How 'bout that?

[@maverick9767]

0:43 That Austin metro...A727 HEM Is coming back as a beige Austin Maestro on “Check the car app”

[@ivornappinion9406]

i knew that from the rear bumper

[@skuula]

The could have used a die grinder to neatly cut that chassis number.... I wonder who ended up paying for the return shipping from NZ?

[@holdenmad111]

@29:56 Don't auction houses do checks on vehicles going to auction?

[@MrDanybe]

Of course they do these days but this was nearly 25 years ago

[@jayrave4]

I was sold a ringed RS turbo that had been put on a Q plate. Not sure why they allowed that back on the road, but wouldn’t let the Fiesta guy here do anything with his.

[@pod9538]

I was going to say the same thing Frank. 96 a good year.

[@Sarge92]

he can spot a stolen car with ease providing the vehicle has its registration and he has a list of registrations stolen

[@paulthompson1654]

Hi At 4.28 yes by nearly all countries your allowed to rebody and or re engine .Most new replacements come with no numbers anyways . Think about this what happens if the vin tag/engraving is destroyed during an accident !!! Coppers are not always right.

[@boum62]

Brilliant - I love the crack about the car trim and Blackpool beach - English sense of humour :) See 20.56

[@clonSanG]

Ye I knew to traffic cop great lads I remember one following me and said only it’s me I’d get the book then laughed

[@UKLIVENews2017HD4K]

All them old gems sad to see

[@mattwebb6056]

Felt sorry for the metro woman

[@steven-vn9ui]

22:30 - they are literally filming on the informants street! 23:30 - has the later front strut top design so definitely not a W reg, surprised the geezer looking it over never mentioned that

[@alfsmith4936]

"He had a shotgun to his head, warning him not to talk to the police 6 days ago".. Let's hope the criminals didn't watch eh?.... Durr.

[@ricardoklement8214]

Anyone else pick up that one of them is called PAUL WALKER and he’s investigating car crime. F&F 😏

[@extec101]

must be PW senior.

[@johnmunday9208]

I remember when all them ladas started disappearing off our roads. Its also funny how the police allowed stolen cars to be taken away again knowing they are stolen. Can't imagine them doing that now

[@simonlloyd7557]

*allowed

[@johnmunday9208]

@@simonlloyd7557 thanks 😊 my bad

[@skylined5534]

They all got shipped off back to Russia apparently.

[@jamesbew6906]

It was so easy then no immobilisers no coded key dam I wish I could go back

[@simonlloyd7557]

'Renolt'? but knows 'all there is to know about cars'.

[@whitepeoplergullible9241]

They said he knows cars not romance languages.

[@ianharrop6580]

Good viewing

[@charlesgraham9954]

I'm from east L.A. and the neighborhood i grew up in was known for stealing cars, had a lot of fiends that were in cruise.

[@curbyourshi1056]

Why would you take your car to the police to check if it's stolen so they'll take it off you straightaway with no compensation? Off their tits.

[@gregshearer423]

They had no choice

[@curbyourshi1056]

@@gregshearer423 "Why would you *take* your car to the Police...". They didn't have them seized... I didn't see the Police compel them in any way in fact...

[@gregshearer423]

@@curbyourshi1056 did it ever occur to you that it was either take them in or they’d just seize them and most people would be thinking there cars were legitimate

[@elvispresley3340]

HAPPY for the people that got their possessions back - sad for the ones that lost their hard earned money. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA.

[@shanef8728]

is this based in Liverpool then??

[@hamonryechinaski180]

Auction company putting a metro thru block with filler and no VIN plate under bonnet? Police should be visiting them and saying if more stolen cars appear that were sold there, that are so clearly stolen (to trade people), then they be shut down. Auction company knew that car was bent...having somewhere to pass on stolen cars that have had zero effort put into hiding them encourages theft.

[@samspianos]

The stolen vehicle industry is dwarfed by the motor vehicle insurance industry

[@nps2512]

My sister was sold a wringer by a so called family member when she told him the police had got involved he denied any knowledge of it being stolen but being kind hearted gave her another car which turned out to be another wringer “scumbag” He now has a little garage /recovery service wonder how many wringers goes through his business

[@Alexander_l322]

Isn’t it ringer without the w? Also does he do dodgy mots as I need one

[@marshallallensmith]

They're looking for Mr Big... He's in Canada doing undercover police stings

[@wika1117]

They took "wrapping up a film shoot" quite literally 48:51

[@tomvarcoe3100]

Why is that guy talking into a brick