Cracking vehicle crime

Nationwide campaigns to stem the flow of stolen plant to Ireland, high-tech measures to immobilise cars taken by thieves, and the vehicle security benefits generated by the Olympics will all be among the issues tackled at next month’s National Vehicle Crime Conference in Warwickshire.

Police officers will join insurance experts, members of government agencies and representatives of vehicle manufacturers from the UK and abroad to discuss the latest measures to tackle auto theft at the event, held at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon on May 7-8.

The timing for this year’s Conference is particularly appropriate, for while delegates will be focusing on new technology and initiative, police across the UK will be targeting plant movements as part of Operation Crassus, a two-week crackdown on plant and machinery theft.

The initiative, along with the launch of the new National Plant Intelligence Unit, will be among the agenda issues for the Conference. Other topics for debate will include:

the Construction Equipment Security and Registration Scheme (CESAR), and the commitment to use only CESAR-registered plant on Olympic construction site

an independent review of the work of ACPO’s Vehicle Crime Intelligence
Service (AVCIS)

the on going development of the National Intelligence Model by agencies such as the DVLA and the Insurance Fraud Bureau

the growth in telemetry and tracking systems, enabling stolen vehicles to be controlled and brought to a halt remotely by police.

The Conference and Exhibition is organised by the UK Branch of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), and Branch President Dr Ken German said the event provides the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas and share best practice in the fight against vehicle-related crime.

“There is nothing else in the calendar which tackles such an extensive range of issues relating to vehicle crime, nor is there anything which can look at issues in such depth or with the benefit of such expertise – this event really does lead the way, and is unmissable for anyone involved in the vehicle crime sector,” said Dr German.

“We are fortunate to have many of the leading figures from policing, government, security and insurance both attending the event and addressing delegates, and early indications are that this year we are again attracting a wide spread of skills sets from delegates.

“It’s another great example of how partnership and networking brings together people and opportunities that can make a difference, and I would like to thank all of the businesses which are supporting this event, particularly our sponsors, McGard.”