Page 8 - VCT August 2021

Perfect storm… Better checks on taking out finance to buy a
vehicle are necessary to counter finance
The number of experienced vehicle
examiners to investigate crimes and put fraud. Criminals can easily take out hire
prosecutions together is dwindling. There are purchase agreements on vehicles using false
fewer police officers. identity information and then disappear with
the vehicles with no intention of making
A lack of Government recognition that vehicle payments.
crime is a serious issue and that OCGs are
exploiting weaknesses in vehicle security More trained vehicle examiners are needed.
conspire to ensure that criminals get away IAATI can really help here by providing
with trivial sentences. Police resources are support to those developing training courses,
rarely focused on vehicle crime. including the College of Policing.
Lastly, one effect of the pandemic is a
Weaknesses in modern vehicle security
systems are being exploited to raise slowing down of production of new vehicles.
substantial revenues. Cash sums being This could drive an increase in the value of
seized at chop shops suggest that OCGs are older vehicles, providing further motivation for
using vehicle theft to raise sizeable revenues. OCGs to move in and exploit vehicle crime.
Signs of hope…
They operate highly organised and effective
sales of stolen vehicles and parts. A taskforce was established by the UK Prime
Minister in January 2019, specifically to tackle
If a tracking system is present, thieves will go
to great lengths to find and remove it. vehicle crime. This is good news indeed!
From this taskforce, policy mandates will flow
A vehicle stolen in London at say 2 am could
be in France by 5 am, well before the owner into Government Departments responsible for
realises it is missing. action on aspects of vehicle crime. This
should lead to renewed effort in the battle
Evidence points to these being used to fund against vehicle crime.
more sinister crimes, including prostitution,
people smuggling, drugs trafficking and arms If any of you have any questions about the
dealing. UK vehicle crime picture, do not hesitate to
reach out to the IAATI UK Branch.
Action is needed…

Action to combat vehicle crime is necessary
on several fronts.

A partnership approach will be crucial. No
one organisation can 'solve' vehicle crime.
The UK Government must take ownership of
the vehicle crime issue and strive to put Paul Harrison Hannah Chowdhury
effective measures in place.
The IAATI approach, bringing partners from
different industries in to work alongside
policy-makers and law enforcement agencies,
is an excellent example of an effective
approach.
Police resources need to be freed up. A
renewed emphasis on vehicle crime and
holding police forces to account by mandating
the recording of statistics would drive
improvements to the effectiveness of the
police against vehicle crime.
Legislative efforts are needed to counter
scrap metal trading 'off the books,' which
drives the theft of catalytic converters.