Vehicle crime in the UK, and across much of the rest of the world, has been an issue of increasing concern in recent years. The number of vehicles stolen, and the value of the vehicles stolen has increased. Thefts from motor vehicles also remains a challenge. Alongside thefts of property from within vehicles, the theft of vehicle parts has received widespread coverage.
In addition to the high financial value of stolen vehicles and parts (estimated to exceed £1b per year in the UK alone), there is wider harm associated with vehicle theft, or with other acquisitive crime offences (e.g. burglary) in which a vehicle is the target. Stolen vehicles feature in many fatal and serious injury in collisions. They are all used to facilitate other serious offending, from drug trafficking to murder.
The role of organised criminal gangs has been increasingly evident in vehicle crime. National and international networks are involved in the theft and trade in stolen vehicles. Vehicles stolen in the UK are supplying local, national and international markets, with UK stolen vehicles being found across Europe, Africa and Asia.
Beyond harm to individuals, the financial impact can be felt by manufacturers, insurers and others. Manufacturers, government and police also suffer reputational harm and reduced confidence when people fall victim to vehicle crime, or the response is not to the desired level.
To address the challenges above, and to improve the way police, industry and government tackle vehicle crime, it is proposed to establish a full-time body dedicated to this work.
The National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership will:
- Identify current and emerging threats though improved information sharing and the
- development of new analytical tools for industry and police.
- Issue alerts about developing issues and crime trends.
- Build networks and facilitate communication across industry, policing and government.
- Enhance the operational response to vehicle crime – developing capability and coordinating
- activity.
- Identify, develop and share best practice.
- Develop and coordinate work to remove the profit from vehicle crime e.g. attention to online
- marketplaces.
Membership of the NVCRP will allow partner organisations to more effectively target their work to reduce vehicle crime and associated harm. It will also be a clear demonstration of each partner’s commitment to reducing vehicle crime.