Partner
Car park operators and managers
What can they contribute?
Details of crime, including unreported crime
Feedback on customer perspective
Better design and management (Secure Car Parks)
What’s in it for them?
Competitive edge
Car crime, fear of crime and crime-related damage leads to loss of revenue
Possible constraints
Concern not to fuel fear of crime/ draw attention to the problem
Cost of security improvements
Examples
Carlisle extended the duties of staff to include reporting of suspicious incidents.
Contact: PC Tony Lees 01539 818787
In Stevenage, a private company runs a car valeting scheme in car parks in conjunction with the borough council.
Contact: Keith Moore, Parking Services Manager 01438 242277
Link to sample contract
Police in Blackpool provide car park security managers with photos of local offenders, so that they, and ticket checkers, can be on the alert.
Contact: Andy Smith
Link to Secured Car Parks site/contact details
Partner
Crimestoppers
What can they contribute?
Stop Motor crime And Ring Today (SMART) campaign
Targeted publicity to encourage crime reporting.
Community Intelligence
What’s in it for them?
Increased coverage/promotion of campaign.
Examples
Link to Crimestoppers website/contact detailsPartner
DVLA
What can they contribute?
Action to immobilise, remove & dispose of unlicensed vehicles, some of which may be stolen or used in commission of other crimes.
What’s in it for them?
Help in locating/targeting unlicensed vehicles.
Increased revenues from vehicle excise licenses.
Possible constraints
Potential scale of task
Examples
Several areas operate vehicle clamping and removal schemes in association with DVLA. E.g., in Skelmersdale police, council workers and DVLA enforcement officers worked together to locate then clamp and remove unlicensed vehicles.
Contact: PC Steve Eckersley 01695 724101.
With help from DVLA, Northumbria police traced the addresses to which fraudulent V5 Vehicle Registration Documents had been issued for ringed vehicles later recovered.
Contact: DCI Fletcher (Northumbria Police/NCIS) 020 7238 8022
Partner
Drug Action Teams
What can they contribute?
Referral and treatment programmes
What’s in it for them?
Commitment to reduce levels of repeat offending amongst drug abusing offenders by 25% by 2005.
Possible constraints
Links with local authorities can be underdeveloped.
Partner
Health Authorities and Trusts
What can they contribute?
Secure car parks
Information on nos. of vehicle-related incidents reported as part of risk management system.
What’s in it for them?
Fulfilling requirements of NHS Executive Controls Assurance Standard. For Security Management
Crime a contributory factor in stress-related illness
A & E cases arising from stolen vehicles and joyriding in particular when involved in accidents.
Thefts in hospital car parks
Impact on staff
Possible constraints
Other priorities
Levels of theft may not be felt to justify Secured Car Park status.
Examples
The James Paget NHS Trust, Great Yarmouth enhanced car park security as part of a wider strategy to ease parking congestion and improve access to the hospital. The introduction of a flat rate parking fee, (coupled with a limited amount of free parking) helped to make the new scheme self-financing.
Contact: Aidan McHugh 01493 452452
Partner
Inland Revenue/ Customs and Excise / Benefits Agency
What can they contribute?
Intelligence/ joint enforcement
What’s in it for them?
More effective enforcement
Possible constraints
Competing priorities
Constraints on information sharing
Examples
West Midlands Police worked with the Fire Service, Benefits Agency, Customs, Trading Standards and the Inland Revenue to investigate a multi-occupied factory premises in Sparkhill
Contact: DC Boyd Howells 0121 626 5937
Partner
Insurers and finance houses
What can they contribute?
Encouragement/ incentives to owners to improve vehicle security
Support for responsible road use programmes
Crackdown on salvage yards found to be in breach of code of practice
What’s in it for them?
Fewer claims
Possible constraints
Action by one insurer may benefit all: no competitive advantage
Examples
A 10 week special operation (Operation Phoenix) to examine a high proportion of vehicles written off by insurers then re-registered, led to Merseyside Police recovering 18 stolen vehicles worth at least £100,000.
Contact: DI Barron 0151 777 5640
Partner
LA Business/contracts services
What can they contribute?
LA vehicle fleet management
What’s in it for them?
Fulfilling requirements of Section 17 / Best Value.
Examples
Sandwell MBC have introduced a Safedrive programme for MBC vehicles. The scheme aims to improve security of all LA vehicles by installation of additional security devices, advice on safe parking, risk assessment of problem sites, additional training for drivers involved in several claims, requirement that departments bear the cost of accidents/incidents involving fleet vehicles.
Contact: Robin Powell 0121 569 3654
Partner
Local Education Authority/ schools
What can they contribute?
Safe driving programmes in schools
'Alternative education/ vocational qualifications
Targeted work with persistent truants and excluded pupils.
Support from others to cater for/engage disaffected young people
What’s in it for them?
Help in meeting literacy/numeracy etc targets
Links with citizenship programmes etc.
Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value
Possible constraints
Pressure on staff and on the curriculum
Pressure to raise academic standards.
Examples
Several forces now make use of the Impact Roadshow, an interactive programme developed by Avon & Somerset Constabulary in response to high levels of involvement in vehicle related offending and risk taking amongst young people. The programme is designed for use with year 10 pupils (ages 14-15) but has been used successfully with a range of audiences aged 11-25.
Contact: PC Gordon Chisholm 01275 816950
Partner
LA Environmental Services
What can they contribute?
Rapid removal of abandoned vehicles, using powers in Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978.
What’s in it for them?
Noise / pollution control
Information on/ regulation of scrapping salvage
Action against vehicle crime as part of LA 21 agenda
Prevention of repeat incidents
Noise / pollution control
Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value
Vehicle crime damages quality of life
LA21 responds to public concerns. Vehicle crime may well be a concern
Possible constraints
Separation of functions at local level
Services may involve several different service providers
LA21 sometimes confined to environmental protection/ conservation
Examples
A scrapyard in Staining, Lancs., had posed many problems for years. A partnership approach involving local residents, environmental health, the Environment Agency, HSE and the MP led to the site being condemned and forced to close.
West Midlands Police and Birmingham Council have drawn up a protocol to support rapid removal of abandoned vehicles.
Contact: Supt.David Shaw, 0121 626 6000
Link to Protocol
Partner
LA Finance
What can they contribute?
Quantify internal losses from vehicle crime
What’s in it for them?
Use insurance/risk management regimes to minimise losses.
Potential savings.
Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value.
Possible constraints
Time/effort involved in collecting data.
Partner
LA Fire & Rescue
What can they contribute?
Initiatives to reduce & respond to vehicle arson.
Powers to require rapid removal of vehicles deemed to pose a fire risk.
What’s in it for them?
Reduction in calls arising from vehicle arson
Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value
Examples
Kent Fire Brigade pass details of vehicle fire incidents to the police. Where possible, they record the VRM, chassis number of VIN number; the make, model, colour; whether the engine and/or interior are intact and any other interesting information. This information is used to establish whether a vehicle is stolen and warrants further investigation. This is one of a series of tactical interventions which, when taken together, are designed to increase detections through recovery and forensic examination of stolen vehicles.
Contact: Sgt Dan Murphy 01622 653206
In Northumbria, joint police/fire service initiative to tackle with arson black spots whereby abandoned vehicles are dealt with quickly before they are subject to an arson attack or vandalism. The aim of this pilot initiative is to remove and impound abandoned vehicles before they are attacked or set alight. The owner of the vehicle is then traced. The pilot scheme has only been operational for 12 months but has already led to a 10% reduction in vehicle fires
Contact: Sarah Marsh on 0191 226 6564
Partner
LA Housing /
Housing AssociationWhat can they contribute?
Effective neighbourhood design and management.
Role for area managers & neighbourhood wardens in providing information / identifying and dealing with nuisance / abandoned vehicles.
What’s in it for them?
Housing in areas with less crime is easier to let, with more rent income
Residents often press for action
Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value
Possible constraints
Pressure for quick wins at the cost of long term benefits
Examples
Solihull are examining a scheme to exclude people convicted of vehicle crime from LA garages.
Contact: David Jones 0121 704 8353
Partner
LA Leisure/ Cultural services
What can they contribute?
Raising awareness
What’s in it for them?
Action to cut crime in hot spots e.g. tourist sites, leisure centres
Role for Ranger services in giving advice / encouraging reporting / gathering information.
Targeted outreach activities
Vehicle crime can deter visitors/ cut use of leisure facilities
Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value
Possible constraints
Concern not to fuel fear crime/ draw attention to the problem
Partner
LA Planning
What can they contribute?
Can require a crime impact analysis in any planning application
Crime prevention guidelines for developers
Design improvements when neighbourhoods are redeveloped
What’s in it for them?
Better planned neighbourhoods have less crime
Fulfilling the requirements of Section 17/ Best Value
Possible constraints
Commitment in recent comprehensive spending review to require local authorities to screen planning applications for their crime implications with help from the police.
Scope is greatest in new developments or major re-developments
Examples
The Bromsgrove crime reduction strategy includes a commitment to developing supplementary planning guidance aimed at reducing vehicle crime.
Contact:
Partner
LA Regeneration
What can they contribute?
Vehicle crime reduction measures as part of wider strategies for regeneration/neighbourhood renewal
What’s in it for them?
Less crime will help to foster neighbourhood renewal.
Fulfilling the requirements of Section 17/ Best Value
Partner
LA Roads and highways
What can they contribute?
Traffic/parking regulation and management in vehicle crime spots (e.g. double yellow lines to curb parking)
Car park security
Motor cycle security provision
Road safety programmes
Driver retraining
Lighting improvements.
What’s in it for them?
Areas which are vulnerable to crime may also have problems with unregulated parking
Action e.g. to improve motorcycle security can help increase use of public transport
Fewer accidents involving stolen vehicles
Support in achieving casualty reduction targets
Fulfilling requirements of Section 17 / Best Value.
Possible constraints
Focus has tended to be on meeting targets for cutting road accidents
Few links in the past with community safety
Pressure on budgets.
Examples
Vehicle crime and accidents fell in a 'hotspot' road in Exeter when the LA made changes to reduce the amount of unregulated parking.
Contact: Richard Oldfield 01392 383800
Partner
LA Social Services
What can they contribute?
Targeted work with young people at risk of offending, including young people in the ‘looked after’ sector.
Compliance with DH/Audit Commission advice to develop more emphasis on prevention and family support
Multi-agency support for vulnerable families
What’s in it for them?
Fulfilling requirements of section 17 / Best Value.
Proposed new target to improve life chances of young people in the ‘looked after’ sector.
Possible constraints
Pressure of child protection work consumes resources.
Concerns about stigmatising vulnerable groups.
Partner
LA
What can they contribute?
Trading standards/ Consumer protection
Regulation of the market e.g. In second hand goods
Information / inspection / enforcement against rogue traders / defective vehicles.
Advice to potential purchasers
What’s in it for them?
Vehicle-related issues are a major source of complaint
Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value
Possible constraints
No powers of arrest
Enforcement may work best in joint operations with the police
Examples
Rhondda Cynon Taff Trading Standards Service has developed a Fair Trading Charter for traders involved in retail motor sales, repairs and servicing or retailing motor parts and accessories
Contact: Peter Pask 01443 406441
peter.v.pask@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk
The Central (Bristol) district of Avon and Somerset Police has developed a Code of Trading for Second Hand Dealers in conjunction with Bristol Trading Standards
Contact: PC Gordon Chisholm 01275 816625
A Memorandum of Understanding outlines arrangements for joint working between Kent Constabulary and Kent County Council Trading Standards.
Contact: Sgt Dan Murphy 01622 653206
Partner
LA Transport
What can they contribute?
More secure car parks at interchanges.
Scope to detect suspicious vehicles when conducting safety checks on vehicles seeking operating licenses
Safer car parks at interchanges may encourage use of public transport.
Information from other partners may help identify unsafe operators
What’s in it for them?
Fulfilling requirements of Section 17/Best Value
Possible constraints
Checks that vehicle is legitimate are outside the department’s remit
Partner
LA Youth Service and voluntary youth services
What can they contribute?
Youth diversion projects / projects to encourage responsible road use.
Taps into young people’s interests.
What’s in it for them?
Focus on youth crime may help to get resources
Possible constraints
Service has had many resource cuts
Concern that crime-focused, targeted youth work may stigmatise young people
Examples
Several forces now make use of the Impact Roadshow, an interactive programme developed by Avon & Somerset Constabulary in response to high levels of involvement in vehicle related offending and risk taking amongst young people. The programme is designed for use with year 10 pupils (ages 14-15) but has been used successfully with a range of audiences aged 11-25.
Contact: PC Gordon Chisholm 01275 816950
Directory of UK Motor ProjectsPartner
Local businesses, including
What can they contribute?
Sponsorship or help ‘in kind’
Action targeted on hot spots e.g. hotel & supermarket car parks
Discounts/promotion of approved security products.
What’s in it for them?
Better vehicle fleet security involving
Acquisitions policy
Driver training / incentives
Vehicle security enhancements
Secure parking
Local syndicates
Reduced crime improves profitability/ keeps businesses viable.
Benefits arising from community involvement.
Possible constraints
Other pressures on resources
Examples
Avon & Somerset's "Don't Bother" campaign secured support from Hyundai, Tesco, Asda, Trade It, Rolls Royce, Ikea, Bristol Hotels and Bristol City Council.
Contact: George Chisholm 01275 816950
The South Warwickshire Hoteliers Association sit on the Warwick Vehicle Crime Tasking Group. A specific sub-group covers hotels & conferencing facilities.
Contact: Peter Cutts 01926 456021
Thames Valley Partnership and Lex Vehicle Leasing have published a guide to vehicle security for fleet managers.
Contact: Siri Moorby 01844 202001
Contact VSIB for a list of fully accredited vehicle security installation companies
Partner
Local Media and auto-trading magazines
What can they contribute?
Awareness raising
Deterrence
Naming and shaming
Data to identify suspicious cases.
What’s in it for them?
Public interest
Examples
Wirral have employed a ‘name and shame’ policy for less secure car parks. A weekly news article in the local press draws attention to the less secure car parks, and other vehicle crime hotspots. There are plans to replicate this policy in Liverpool.
Contact: Colin Matthews 0151 777 2202
Contact: Sgt Dan Murphy 01622 653206Partner
Local motor traders
What can they contribute?
Promotion of secure vehicles/security products/ covert and overt vehicle marking
Help in rooting out rogue traders
What’s in it for them?
Competitive edge
Rogue traders can damage local trade
Traders may think that security doesn’t sell cars
Partner
Motoring organisations
(AA, Autoglass etc)What can they contribute?
Encouraging reporting
Natural surveillance
What’s in it for them?
Support for motorists
Examples
Blackpool have also reached agreement with AA, RAC and Autoglass for drivers to park vehicles in hotspot locations between calls, providing natural surveillance.
Contact: Andy Smith 01253 607342
Partner
Neighbourhood watch/ crime prevention panels
What can they contribute?
Awareness raising
Property marking
Help in identifying vulnerable vehicles and crime hotspots
What’s in it for them?
Vehicle crime affects the community and its reputation
Responds to public concern
Possible constraints
Impact depends on the time and commitment put in by volunteers
NW coverage is incomplete
Partner
Police
What can they contribute?
Data/intelligence
Law enforcement
Public reassurance
Advice on designing out crime
Problem-oriented policing
Intelligence-led road policing
Schools liaison
Vehicle crime reduction objectives in local policing plan.
Police-community liaison
What’s in it for them?
Help from other agencies to reduce crime
Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value
Potential impact on overall recorded crime
Responding to public concern
Possible constraints
Traditional focus on enforcement rather than prevention – though this is changing
Capacity to manage/process data.
Examples
Police in Blackpool:
Contact: Andy Smith 01253 607342
Several forces target vulnerable vehicles, e.g. by contacting owners of vehicles left insecure or known to be at high risk of theft.
Contacts:
Blackpool: Andy Smith 01253 607342
Avon & Soms: PC Steve Burt 01275 816019
Partner
Probation Service
What can they contribute?
Experience of motor projects
Work to challenge offending behaviour.
Community service
Mobilising other agencies for effective interventions to reduce rates of reconviction.
What’s in it for them?
Opportunities to enhance offenders’ basic skills/employability.
Possible constraints
Only work with a relatively small number of persistent offenders
Examples
Blackpool use suitable offenders on community service orders to patrol hotspot car parks wearing high visibility jackets.
Contact: Andy Smith 01253 607342
Partner
Rail operators /
Railtrack/ British Transport PoliceWhat can they contribute?
Data/intelligence
Law enforcement
What’s in it for them?
Public reassurance
Advice on designing out crime
Problem-oriented policing
Participation in Secure Stations scheme.
Reduced crime, e.g. in rail car parks.
Increased passenger security/satisfaction.
Partner
Residents’ AssociationsWhat can they contribute?
Direct experience of the problems & practicalities
Knowing what would secure other residents’ support
What’s in it for them?
Less crime, better quality of life
Possible constraints
Divisions within the community
Lack of confidence that things can improve.
Partner
Town centre managers
What can they contribute?
Better car park security / promotion of secure car parks.
Effective / co-ordinated use of CCTV.
What’s in it for them?
Car crime and fear of crime deter visitors, and damage town centre vitality
Possible constraints
Concern not to fuel fear of crime/ draw attention to the problem
Cost of security improvements
Examples
In Eastleigh the town centre manager acts as a liaison point with business, feeding information on emerging issues from groups such as the Retailers Group into the town centre community safety partnership group.
Contact: Sheila Battersby 023 8068 8149
Partner
Traffic Wardens
What can they contribute?
Help in identifying vulnerable vehicles
Help in identifying cars in an illegal condition / minor parking offenders guilty of other offences also.
Help in fingerprinting stolen vehicles.
What’s in it for them?
Extension of role.
Possible constraints
Extension of role.
Local authority traffic wardens lack direct access to the PNC.
Examples
Traffic wardens in Liverpool have been trained in fingerprinting techniques, allowing them to act as scenes of crime officers in the case of vehicle crimes. Traffic wardens also play a part in recovering stolen vehicles, providing information on hotspot locations and times.
Contact: Alan Jones 0151 777 4605
Partner
Victim Support
What can they contribute?
Support for victims
What’s in it for them?
Help in preventing revictimisation
Information on mode of operation
Keep victim perspective on local partnership agenda
Possible constraints
Only know of victims identified by the police
Vehicle crime victims not a high priority
Examples
Luton Victim/Mediation Scheme
Although not specific to vehicle crime this scheme does involve work with offenders/victims of vehicle crime. The YOT work through Victim Support to contact the victim of the crime to see if they are interested in victim/offender reparation/mediation. The mediation aspect of the scheme not in place yet, it is expected to be set up within the next 6 months (by Feb 2001).
Contact: Mike Thomas Tel: 01582 547932 Email:
thomasm@luton.gov.ukPartner
Volunteers
What can they contribute?
Presence /advice in vehicle crime hotspots
What’s in it for them?
Help in creating a safer community.
Possible constraints
Need to put time into recruitment/oversight/support.
Examples
Blackpool police have recruited volunteers to hand out leaflets and identify vulnerable vehicles. They are supported by a liaison officer and have backing from mobile police support.
Contact: PC John Churchman 01253 293933
Partner
Youth Offending Teams
What can they contribute?
Intensive work with young offenders/young people at risk of offending, e.g. Youth Inclusion Projects/ interventions linked to the range of new orders introduced in the Crime & Disorder Act.
What’s in it for them?
Mobilising other agencies for criminality prevention/ early intervention.
Opportunities to enhance young peoples’ skills/employability.
Possible constraints
Many teams relatively new / may need time to build relationships and develop programmes.
Competing priorities
Examples
Wessex YOT has developed a modular programme for use with car crime offenders on Final Warnings.
Contact: Steve Morrison 01703 463336
Partner
Youth Action
What can they contribute?
Involving young people in vehicle crime reduction.
Links with c 200 local partnerships.
What’s in it for them?
Issue often interests young people.
Link to Youth Action Plus contact point