Two young men, Mohammed Khan and Mohammed Haydar, have been sentenced to prison for a large-scale theft operation targeting vehicles near Birmingham City FC’s stadium. Between December 2022 and October 2024, the 23-year-olds stole parts from nearly 100 cars across the West Midlands, many belonging to football fans attending matches at St Andrew’s.
The duo moved swiftly, stripping valuable components such as headlights, bumpers, mirrors, and bonnets from parked cars during match days. While supporters watched the football, Khan and Haydar took advantage of the distraction to immobilize vehicles by removing essential parts.
Their downfall came after a lengthy West Midlands Police investigation that compiled hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and forensic evidence. The investigation revealed that the pair would record their thefts and post videos and photos on social media, openly boasting about their illegal activities.
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Khan admitted to 98 offences, while Haydar admitted to 20 during proceedings at Birmingham Crown Court. Both were sentenced to four years and three months in prison.
A victim statement from Birmingham City Football Club highlighted the impact of these crimes, noting increased reports of vehicle “cannibalisation” around match days. The statement underscored the financial losses, inconvenience, and distress experienced by victims, as well as the broader community effects, including diminished public confidence in attending football matches and concerns over local safety.
West Midlands Police continue to deploy match-day officers and patrols around St Andrew’s to deter criminal activity, working closely with the club, local authorities, businesses, and car park operators to protect supporters and residents.
DC Choudhury, who led the investigation, praised the thorough effort that led to the convictions and emphasized the serious distress caused to victims: “Both Haydar and Khan were meticulous in their offending… leaving vehicles stripped and owners facing significant hardship.”
This case serves as a reminder of the risks of showcasing criminal acts on social media, which ultimately helped bring these offenders to justice and restored some peace of mind to the local community.