A Channel 4 documentary will spotlight one of the largest organised crime investigations ever undertaken by West Mercia Police.
Operation Flare, a complex investigation into a vehicle theft gang responsible for more than 100 burglaries across England and Wales, will feature in an upcoming episode of 999: What Happened Next.
The case involved the theft of around £3.45 million worth of vehicles, including high-value BMWs, Audis, Land Rovers, and Range Rovers.
The Worcester News followed the investigation from the initial court appearances in April 2025 through to sentencing, reporting that 12 men, aged between 16 and 49, had been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and related offences.
The offences were carried out between May and August 2024, and spanned the Midlands, southern England, and Wales.
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During sentencing at Worcester Crown Court in April 2026, it was revealed that the gang regularly broke into homes to steal car keys, attempting to clean entry and exit points to remove forensic evidence.
The court heard that the burglaries caused total losses of around £3.67 million, with some victims left so traumatised they moved home.
Eleven men were sentenced to prison or young offender institutions, while a 17-year-old member of the gang had been sentenced earlier in the year.
In total, the men received 94 years and eight months in custody.
On April 16, the following men were sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit burglary and one count of conspiracy to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property:
On April 17, the following men were sentenced after being convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit burglary and one count of conspiracy to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property:
The 11 members of the crime gang sentenced in April (Image: West Mercia Police)
West Mercia Police described Operation Flare as its largest conspiracy investigation to date.
The Worcester News published further coverage including police footage of high-speed chases, arrests, and dramatic attempts by suspects to evade capture.
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Gang members were recorded fleeing crime scenes at speeds of up to 160mph.
Body-worn and helicopter footage showed officers tracking down suspects during the year-long operation.
999: What Happened Next will air on Channel 4 at 9pm on Monday (September 28).
The episode will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how West Mercia Police dismantled the vehicle theft network, using real body-worn video, CCTV footage, and interviews with those involved.
