The European Secure Vehicle Alliance

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THE BACKGROUND

England and Wales has one of the worst vehicle crime records in the world - and yet one of the best road safety records.

National recorded vehicle crime statistics indicate a welcome downward, but gradually slowing, trend for the past six years, whilst still remaining 20% of all crime. Actual offences recorded, in England and Wales, for the year till end September1999 are:- theft of vehicle - 388,000 and theft from vehicle 685,000. Whilst actual theft of a vehicle is usually reported to the police, theft from and attempted thefts are more commonly not reported, and the 1998 British Crime Survey reports that :- 15.7% of car-owning households experienced a car-related theft or attempted theft in 1997. 2.1% were victims of car theft, 10.2% of thefts from their car: and 6.7% vehicle vandalism.

A growing proportion, approximately one third of stolen vehicles, are never recovered. Unrecovered stolen vehicles are an indicator of organised crime and fraud. The four, most significant, channels are :- (1) breaking for spares, (2) "re-identification" and return to vehicle parc, (3) insurance fraud involving collusion between claimant and dismantler/salvage operator, (4) exportation.

THE ISSUE

Vehicle Crime has thrived due to inadequate responses from all 'Institutions" especially as no one institution is clearly accountable. However, in Autumn 1998, the Government announced a vehicle crime reduction target of 30% over the next five years and the Home Office established, with support from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, an industry-wide group - Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT) - to lead and coordinate a series of initiatives. VCRAT¹s strategy was published for consultation in September 1999 and ESVA has responded fully calling for action to address Engineering, Enforcement and Education - a strategy which has lead to significant road accident reduction.

THREE ESVA STRATEGIC RESPONSES

(1) A LOCAL VEHICLE CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGY

ESVA aims to capitalise on the community safety planning process involving partnerships between local government, police, business and voluntary groups to stimulate vehicle crime reduction action. A guide titled ³Tackling Vehicle Crime² has been jointly written with Crime Concern, with sponsorship support from Vauxhall Motors, and was launched at the ACPO National Vehicle Crime Conference in October 1998. The primary aim at present is to stimulate national, regional and local awareness and adoption of the guide.

(2) DEVELOP COMMUNITY EDUCATION INVOLVING VEHICLES

ESVA continues to explore and develop, both at a local and at a national level with the Home Office, Department for Education and Employment, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Department of Health, the pathways whereby communities can help young people become more responsible road users. This work encompasses formal and informal educational and training settings and aims to reduce both vehicle crime and road accidents, and also provide pathways into employment.

(3) SUPPORT THE NATIONAL VCRAT PROGRAMME

ESVA will offer the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team all possible support to its various working groups and steering group. ESVA anticipates that its most valuable contributions will be in identifying and promoting best local vehicle crime reduction practice and in the areas of enhancing vehicle crime related information systems and research studies.

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