Some 20 years ago, as the story goes, a senior Kent police officer discovered a stash of unallocated constabulary money. Concerned about how vehicle taking was perceived, that its importance was underestimated, he acquired the monies and created the ACPO Vehicle Criminal Intelligence Service (AVCIS) to highlight and address ‘vehicle enabled crime‘ (the use of vehicles in crime).
theft of or from vehicles is no longer regarded as a policing priority by most forces
AVCIS was formed in 2006 to replace the vehicle crime related functions of the National Criminal Intelligence Service which was disbanded with the creation of the Serious Organised Crime Agency and is based in Warwickshire.
In 2015 ACVIS was replaced by the NPCC and AVCIS became known as the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS). Originally set up to be responsible for combating organised vehicle crime and the use of vehicles in crime, the goal posts appear to have moved. The NaVCIS Wikipedia page explains:
- NaVCIS works with a number of other agencies and private companies to maintain the downward pressure on vehicle crime which saw it reduce by 50% between 2001 and 2010-11
The above crime reduction appears attributable to AVCIS (2006 to 2015). Since 2015, vehicle crime, at least ‘taking’ (allegations of THEFT) have been on the increase – save that it appears 2024 may have seen a reduction.
NaVCIS appears more concerned with allegations of FRAUD – and whether these have decreased is unknown.
NaVCIS’ involvement in ‘vehicle enabled crime’ now appears far more constrained. The reason for this may be that the original funding having dried up, they had to look elsewhere for funding … to the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), currently providing 92% of their funding.
NaVCIS appears less (if anything) to do with vehicle ‘theft’ and more about ‘fraud’; a different offence to ‘taking’ or ‘theft’ of a vehicle i.e. are NaVCIS ‘recoveries’ having any impact upon UK vehicle theft figures; how much of an interest does NaVCIS have in vehicle crime outside of finance-related crime? An indication may be gleaned from their approach to the similar offence of taking Rental Vehicles – read more here.
There appears to be general misunderstanding of vehicle crime and offences in the UK. Possibly this suits some. Examples of a confusion can be read here.
The current role of this vehicle crime unit appears to be very different from the original, involved primarily with finance fraud as opposed to vehicle theft.
Funding
Current (2024):
In consideration of the provision of these services, the level of the service fee for the extended term commencing 1st April 2024 is £2,283,984 plus VAT, payable in four equal instalments.
Additional figures relating to Ports/containers can be found here.
Previous years:
As per retention guidelines to retain accounting records for 6 financial years plus the current financial year, please see the below breakdown of funding:
| Total Funding | |
| 2023-2024 | £2,193,524 |
| 2022-2023 | £1,929,483 |
| 2021-2022 | £1,948,682 |
| 2020-2021 | £2,125,606 |
| 2019-2020 | £1,859,881 |
| 2018-2019 | £1,774,446 |
NaVCIS only receive direct funding from one insurance company who subscribes to the freight membership, they have contributed £4,500 per annum since becoming a member in May 2023.
NaVCIS do not currently provide a service directly insurers* (other than restoring stolen vehicles to them that we seize during the course of our operational activities).
NaVCIS do work at UK Ports and work with the Ports Authorities and the Ports Police. NaVCIS has no financial relationship with them*. It is purely operational. The NaVCIS Ports activities are funded by the funding that NaVCIS receives annually from the Finance and Leasing Association (the FLA). The FLA provides funding for NaVCIS Ports and Intelligence Operations.
NaVCIS do not receive any money for providing access to ANPR data*. NaVCIS does not provide access to ANPR data.
A further breakdown below is of public and private funding:
| Private Sector | Public Sector | Total Funding | % Private | % Public | |
| 2023-2024 | £2,183,524 | £10,000 | £2,193,524 | 99.54% | 0.46% |
| 2022-2023 | £1,929,483 | £1,929,483 | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| 2021-2022 | £1,941,182 | £7,500 | £1,948,682 | 99.62% | 0.38% |
| 2020-2021 | £2,116,786 | £8,820 | £2,125,606 | 99.59% | 0.41% |
| 2019-2020 | £1,859,881 | £1,859,881 | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| 2018-2019 | £1,772,631 | £1,815 | £1,774,446 | 99.90% | 0.10% |
*
These comments were in response to a request for information dating from 2006, for formation of AVCIS – a somewhat optimistic approach! However, the interest was in particular, for:
- the funding or financial relationship with ports authorities or ports policing and sums received
- the sums received for providing access to ANPR data
The request arose from an understanding, in 2014:
- a ‘bounty’ of 5% of the value of the vehicle was being sought for vehicle return
- Insurers were offered assistance; in return for a payment of £10,000 AVCIS would ensure vehicles at Ports would be recovered and would be provided access to ANPR data.
No information was held – the responses can be read here.
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