Datatag
Formed in the early 1990’s to combat motorcycle theft, Datatag is a subsidiary company of Mitsui of Japan. The company provide a variety of property marking products for motorcycles and other markets including scooters, all terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, bicycles, and construction equipment.
Marking products consist of electronic transponders (tags), micro-dots, etching stencils and tamperproof decals. Transponders are read with hand– held scanners provided by Datatag to law enforcement agencies free of charge.
The company provide a 24/7 service to police with access to computer records maintained to meet various data handling standards demanded by UK police forces, including ISO 9000-2000 and accreditation by ACPO CPI Ltd.
In April 2007 Datatag launched the CESAR plant equipment marking and registration scheme on behalf on the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) providing permanently marked plant, parallel registration with the DVLA’s off road register and a 24/7 call centre.
Europlate
The European Registration Plate Association was formed in 1972 and currently has some 350 paid-up members in 30 countries world-wide, many of whom collect plates, and many who collect photographs. Europlate publishes a quarterly newsletter and has published five books on the subject. A biennial convention was held in Barcelona, Spain, over Easter 2006, and the next will be over Easter 2008.
A useful publication Registration Plates of the World (2004) was written by Neil Parker and John Weeks, respectively the Secretary and Editor of Europlate; this is now in the process of being converted into a web site. In 1999 Interpol commissioned Parker and Weeks to produce a definitive guide covering Europe and the Mediterranean. Regrettably, this ceased publication in 2005. Europlate members will assist law enforcement agencies identify foreign plates.
Eurowatch
EUROWATCH is an innovative multi-country service that addresses escalating crime against vehicles and freight throughout Europe. It helps drivers and owners contact the police when a crime occurs at home or abroad. Coverage extends to Western, Central and Eastern Europe and parts of the Russian Federation.
‘EUROWATCH Auto’ is designed to help fight the growth in crime against passenger cars across Europe. It works by connecting the ‘Stolen Vehicle Tracking’ data provided by the in-car telematics systems direct to police.
EUROWATCH provides 24-hour contact to police across Europe in the event that a car is stolen when abroad or stolen and taken out of its home country. The service has an excellent track record of recovering stolen cars and helping police to arrest car thieves.
Hills Numberplates Ltd
Hills Numberplates who supply more than three million pairs of plates a year, have devised a numberplate which can not be removed within three minutes – a requirement of the DVLA standard for anti theft plates.
Using patented technology, Hills, who have been developing the theft resistant plates for the past two years, are the first company to meet the DVLA standard set up to give motorists’ independent assurance of quality.
Tested by Sold Secure – security experts were not only unable to dislodge the theft resistant plates within the three minute timeframe, but the plates were completely irreparable when eventually removed.
Car ID theft and cloning is a growing problem in the UK – and regularly leads to further illegal activity, as stolen plates are often used to disguise the identity of another vehicle.
More than 30,000 pairs of numberplates were reported stolen in 2004, with many plate thefts being used for serious crime activity. It is hoped these new anti theft plates will go a long way in targeting the problem.
i-mob
With key theft representing the vast majority of late model vehicle thefts and ‘car-jackings’ in the UK now running into hundreds of cases each year, i-mob products offer suitable protection for vehicles including some features that are unique to the UK insurance approved market. They are available for cars, commercial vehicles, motor bikes, plant and machinery, boats and caravans.
Many long standing products previously approved for insurance purposes are now seen as outdated and unable to combat today’s methods of stealing vehicles.
A major upgrade to the standards was required if insurers and owners could have confidence in the products they requested or purchased. This occurred in 2006 and changes the market place considerably for 2007 and the years ahead. In response to these concerns, Thatcham implemented a new standard for Tracking and Security systems known as Thatcham Quality Accreditation or ‘TQA’ for short. ‘TQA’ was launched on the 12th January 2007 and simultaneously the previous, long standing, ‘Q’ list has been abandoned.
On the 1st November 2006, i-mob became the first manufacturer of security and tracking products to be awarded TQA accreditation. To obtain an understanding of a variety of cutting edge solutions to vehicle theft and recovery available from a range of system providers, visit the web sites:
MightyDot
A global company with the parent company, DataDot Technology Limited, based in Australia and backed by major subsidiaries in UK, USA, and South Africa with additional distributors around the world.
Since MightyDot is a global product a range of brand names are used, depending on the geographic area. In Europe these are MightyDot, DataDotDNA, DNA Program, Securmark and Eurodot. In the rest of the world they use the brand names DataDot and DataDotDNA.
MightyDot is an anti-theft/property protection system based on microdots encoded with a unique identity, suspended in a high-tech adhesive into which a UV marker is added. Additionally, the product now has a digital nanotechnology trace to confirm manufacturing provenance. This provides easy application to any type, age, make or marque of vehicle – from bikes through cars to commercial vehicles and Plant & Equipment.
Mightydot contribute to the SMMT Vehicle Security Working Group and UK Aftermarket Committee. The product addresses ringing and cloning, improving the effectiveness of roadside stops complementing ANPR, using VIN-based microdots recorded at DVLA.
Retainagroup
Retainagroup’s mission is to provide professional, safe and simple-to-apply systems for marking vehicles and other valuable property, backed by a comprehensive registration and verification service through the International Security Register (ISR).
The visible marking incorporates a unique identification code, and the phone number of the free 24-hour, 365-day verification service for police and public use. The system is currently provided by 12 motor manufacturers with all the new vehicles they sell in the UK – approximately 600,000 a year.
Retainagroup also receive PNC LOS data and this information is integrated into the ISR. The ISR holds data on some ten million vehicles. The system also protects a wide range of valuable property including computers, laptops, mobile phones, TVs, videos and cycles.
Services to Police include: Phone, SMS and internet searching of the ISR database, Polexam system, PNC data analysis, specific vehicle or vehicle type alerts, historical records and data searches; In-depth vehicle data searching, vehicle security data, Police orientated marking and registration products and pricing; Information posters on vehicle marking and the Polexam scheme, dedicated police liaison manager, evidential statements and court attendance if required; visits to the ISR and demonstrations of the system, its versatility and practical uses in police investigations.
Corporate Membership includes theSociety ofMotor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG).
Selectamark
Selectamark Security Systems PLC are a privately owned company trading since 1985. As members of the BSIA (British Security Industry Association) they are an ISO 9001 2000 quality approved supplier, meeting all data handling standards with products covered by a Secured By Design Licence.
They supply a whole range of identification products including etching compounds and stencils for windows and equipment, tags for covert identification, forensic marking chemicals, microdots, UV lights and document examination equipment, UV sprays, pastes and powders. All owner details are held on their approved database.
Selectamark are the technology providers to several companies working within the automotive area, including all UK and imported caravans, a majority of motor homes and boats through the ‘Boatmark’ scheme. All data relating to these schemes is held by HPI.
Selectamark also run Bikeregister.com, an on-line bicycle registration scheme which can register only, register and mark or register mark and tag bicycles.
They also sell a wide variety of tamper resistant labels, Tesa labels and labels containing Selectamark permanent marking. They also supply window etching to JCB for their plant equipment, and forensic marking and window etching to the general public as retail kits.
The company employ a Police Liaison Manager who will support police in identifying and tracing property and offer special pricing to police for products for schemes within the community policing area and local authority partnerships.
SmartWater Technology Ltd
SmartWater is an Official Police Accredited Organisation with ‘Secured By Design’ accreditation from ACPO CPI. It possesses a wide range of other accreditations and standards to ensure quality and reliability of its products and systems. Founded by Phil Cleary, a former police officer and his chemist brother Mike, SmartWater has a proven track record of sustainable crime reduction and detection for a whole host of crimes especially theft from and of vehicles.
SmartWater Index is a revolutionary forensic coding system that uses forensic science to deter car thieves whether they are considering stealing the vehicle or its contents. Containing a unique DNA-style code, SmartWater Index is a low pressure spray system that can be quickly and easily installed in any type of vehicle.
The system is triggered when an unauthorised person enters the vehicle spraying the intruder with SmartWater forensic solution. Although harmless, the solution will remain detectable on skin or hair for weeks after the event and will stay on clothing and footwear indefinitely. Invisible to the naked eye, SmartWater glows under ultraviolet light. The system has caught a number of prolific thieves who target vehicles. Used as part of the ‘SmartWater Strategy’, which includes waging a psychological warfare against criminals, it has a track record of reducing car crime to great effect.
SmartWater also has a product marking system that can be used to mark internal and external parts of vehicles including satellite navigation systems. In addition, SmartWater also possess covert marking systems for exclusive use by the police.
SmartWater employs dedicated Police Liaison Officers who provide free on site support and are available to discuss strategy, deployment and ‘best practice’ to ensure maximum effect of the SmartWater strategy and products. They provide free training and strategy planning and also ensure rapid free analysis by SmartWater in-house scientists at their national laboratory in Telford.
Thiefbeaters Theft Solutions Ltd
Thiefbeaters provide specialist theft deterrent solutions to protect a wide range of property.
The company offer bespoke marking and registration products used on plant, caravans and trailers, all independently tested by Thatcham. From 2006 all Adria Motorhomes were all marked with Thiefbeaters products which includes a unique TB number stamped, etched and engraved into 20 – 40 different locations, plus electronic tags and microdots. Photographs taken at the time of marking and the location of overt markings are included on a registration document which is left with the owner.
Tracker Network
Tracker Network (UK) Ltd commenced trading in 1993 and is widely acknowledged as a leading stolen vehicle tracking equipment provider. Tracker products are used by all UK police forces.
The company offer a range of products to recover stolen vehicles and offer fleet management solutions, either using police vehicles, or GPS / VHF technology.
The company also employ Police Liaison Managers to assist forces with stolen vehicle tracking and covert operations.
A range of other equipment / service providers offer vehicle tracking and fleet management solutions using cutting edge technologies. More than any other, the Telematics industry is able to assist transport operators and police in the fight against crime. All Telematics systems that provide location data in latitude and longitude format can provide data capable of recovering stolen vehicles and increasing arrests.
Vinfinder
Vinfinder is a market leading product combating vehicle theft and fraud decoding vehicle manufacturer’s identification numbers.
Vinfinder was designed to support finance houses, insurers, Police, HM Custom and Excise and the motor industry. The service provider APAK is an established supplier of specialist financial systems to major financial institutions.
WPC Software Ltd. (WPC)
WPC is a software solutions supplier supporting the public and private sectors since 1988. Clients now include police forces, local authorities, fire and rescue services and banks. Software and intranet products cover a wide range of applications, from firearms and liquor licensing to missing persons and stolen vehicle administration.
WPC’s Easy Link Vehicle Information Suite comprises 2 main modules: –
ELVIS – Police Forms – a powerful software package designed to help officers manage the complex administration of vehicle information and input details on the Police National Computer (PNC) more efficiently; and
ELVIS – Vehicle Recovery – an exciting development from WPC to help organisations manage the overwhelming problem of uninsured, crime, RTA and other vehicle recovery operations.
The original police forms module covers all aspects of vehicle crime from stolen reports to HO/RT2 statements, Section 59 warning and seizures to information markers, external enquiries to maintaining lists of registered businesses. ELVIS Police Forms also provides full automation of PNC vehicle updates including re-synchronisation following times of PNC unavailability.
The new vehicle recovery module has been designed to tackle the problems associated with the growing number of vehicles needing to be removed from the nation’s roads. ELVIS Vehicle Recovery module joins the efforts of the police and the vehicle recovery operators into one system available to all and greatly increases the efficiency of the operation and the audit ability of the information.
Current police users for ELVIS – Vehicle Recovery are the Metropolitan Police, Northamptonshire Police, Staffordshire Police, West Midlands Police, and Humberside Police.
Other organisations also use ELVIS – VR for their abandoned vehicle schemes. These include Liverpool Direct Ltd – on behalf of Liverpool City Council, South Wales Community Safety Partnership – for use by Cardiff
County Council
Current users of ELVIS – Police Forms are Merseyside Police, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, and Humberside Police.