Experts debate new moves to tackle vehicle crime

Senior police officers, insurance experts, members of Government Agencies and representatives of vehicle manufacturers will be discussing the latest measures to tackle auto theft at next month’s National Vehicle Crime Conference in Warwickshire.

The event will highlight recent developments in tackling vehicle theft across a range of market sectors, including cars, motorcycles, construction plant, HGV and road freight crime, and leisure vehicles such as caravans and motor homes.

Delegates at the two-day Conference, which will be held at the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon, will also be given an insight into the latest technological developments to target vehicle crime, with sessions on roadside technology. International smuggling routes will highlight the gateways that Eire and other countries provide to organised crime groups.

Keynote speakers include representatives from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on tackling vehicle crime, while renowned motoring journalist Quentin Wilson will provide a media perspective on auto theft. Lord Brian Mackenzie of Framwellgate will highlight some of the remaining partnership opportunities, which can truly make a difference.

The Conference takes place on May 7th and 8th and is organised by the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI). UK Branch President Dr Kenneth German believes the Conference offers an essential opportunity to share expertise and discuss current trends in tackling vehicle crime. Vehicles are becoming more difficult to steal, but the thieves are adept change managers, making profit from cloning, staged accidents, identity theft and finance fraud.

“Other sessions will show latest trends in vehicle arsons, and how to determine whether the burn out is a fraud in action. Police vehicles are being fitted with mobile data terminals, and anpr technology and number plate technology remain key weapons in volume enforcement.

Last year saw, crime reduction specialists, senior investigating officers, analysts, Fire and Rescue Services, insurance and after market specialists and a whole raft of hi tech service providers attending. Early indications are that this year, the pull of conference is again attracting a wide spread of skills sets from delegates. Truly there is no one organisation that can produce all the answers and that is why partnership and networking, brings together people and opportunities that can make a difference.

An exhibition involving some of the leading companies in the fight against vehicle crime will also run alongside the Conference. In addition to the auditorium there is in excess of 700 square metres of premier space at the Heritage Centre, the home of the British Motor Industry, delegates will have much to see and learn. The question they need to ask themselves is “what aspect of best practice learned from the conference, will I be taking back to my workplace? What will make the difference in a competitive cost based environment?

The event is supported and sponsored by McGard, www.mcgard.de manufacturers of innovative security solutions. You may not know the name, but most new premier cars are fitted with their locking wheel nuts.

Delegate bookings are still being taken for the Conference, with a two-day rate available for just £159 To find out more details of the event, and to book your place, visit the IAATI website at iaati.org.uk, or contact Jacqui Gay on 01889 561400