Organised vehicle crime needs national response – RUSI
A new report published by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has called for the creation of a national body to tackle organised vehicle crime.
The report states that vehicle theft costs the UK more than £1.75bn every year.
It highlights how organised crime groups have evolved into sophisticated, technically-capable and well-resourced groups targeting high value vehicle thefts. It argues that a national body supported by a co-ordinated police and industry response must now be established to tackle this growing threat.
The report has been welcomed by the National Vehicle Crime Partnership (NVCRP), which was set up last November to combat vehicle-related crime.
Backed by government, the police and the automotive industry, NVCRP has proposed a multi-pronged action plan including strengthening port security, closing intelligence gaps, modernising legislation and enhancing vehicle security through manufacturer collaboration and swift intelligence sharing.
Sophisticated threat
Mark Kameen, Project Lead at the NVCRP, said: “We welcome the report’s findings, including the need to improve our understanding and intelligence capabilities in respect of this crime type, and the need for a dedicated national investigative body. Implementation of these recommendations is essential if we want to keep pace with this evolving and sophisticated threat, and to protect victims, communities, consumers and industry.
“Public private sector partnerships have a very important role to play in the fight against organised vehicle crime, especially with police resources stretched and prioritising high threat, harm and risk offences.
“The NVCRP can support and facilitate data sharing opportunities, new technology, training, crime prevention initiatives and support operations. We have a key role to play in the national response to this issue and in helping to implement the recommendations in the report.”
