Police today declared war on the illegal traders who cash in on car crime in Bradford.

Officers pledged to track down the teams of organised criminals who buy and sell stolen vehicles, fuelling the demand for thieves to go out and steal.

By smashing the highly-lucrative market, police aim to slash the number of cars taken in burglaries and hijackings throughout the district.

It is understood that some of the illicit dealers use legitimate businesses to front their criminal activities.

Police are pumping more resources into gathering intelligence against the offenders and putting them before the courts.

Yesterday, more than a dozen detectives - two officers are pictured - swooped on a farm in Denholme where they seized two 4x4 vehicles, a number of chassis as well as a large quantity of spare parts.

Recovery vehicles were called in to take away two trailers and a horsebox for examination.

Officers from the Bradford North division were joined by vehicle examiners from the force's Stolen Vehicle Squad as they trawled through a number of outbuildings at the isolated plot.

No arrests were made but the items were confiscated for further examination.

Detective Inspector George Marshall, who led the raid, said it was the end result of a covert investigation into the handling of stolen cars.

Speaking of the campaign to target criminal car dealers, he said: "We are not only looking at those people who actively go out and steal vehicles but also those at the other end of the scale who make a living out of buying and selling them."

Of the hundreds of vehicles stolen in Bradford every year many are driven by joyriders before being dumped or burned. Others may be used to commit further offences such as ram-raids or become getaway cars for armed robbers.

As previously revealed in the Telegraph & Argus, drug dealers and other criminals can pay a few hundred pounds for top-of-the-range saloons such as BMWs and Mercedes stolen complete with keys - either during burglaries or as a result of car-jackings.

After changing the number plates, they cruise around in the 'status symbol' vehicles until either being caught or dumping them.

Police today said were now actively targeting illegal traders who readily offered cash for stolen cars in order to sell them on for a profit.

Either they 'ring' the cars - kitting them out with new identities before passing them on - or simply break them up and sell the spare parts for a fraction of the legitimate price.

Det Insp Marshall said: "There is a core of criminals who make a living out of receiving stolen vehicles and it can be a lucrative business for those involved."

"Car crime remains one of our force's priorities and we will continue to tackle all aspects of it, whether it be the stealing of vehicles or the handling of stolen goods."

Anyone with information car criminals should contact their local police station or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.