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Partners |
What can they contribute? |
What’s in it for them? |
Possible constraints |
Examples |
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Car park operators and managers |
Details of crime, including unreported crime Feedback on customer perspective Better design and management (Secure Car Parks) |
Competitive edge Car crime, fear of crime and crime-related damage leads to loss of revenue |
Concern not to fuel fear of crime/ draw attention to the problem Cost of security improvements |
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 |
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Crimestoppers |
Stop Motor crime And Ring Today (SMART) campaign Targeted publicity to encourage crime reporting. Community Intelligence |
Increased coverage/promotion of campaign. |
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DVLA |
Action to immobilise, remove & dispose of unlicensed vehicles, some of which may be stolen or used in commission of other crimes. |
Help in locating/targeting unlicensed vehicles. Increased revenues from vehicle excise licenses. |
Potential scale of task |
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 |
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Drug Action Teams |
Referral and treatment programmes |
Commitment to reduce levels of repeat offending amongst drug abusing offenders by 25% by 2005. |
Links with local authorities can be underdeveloped. |
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Health Authorities and Trusts |
Secure car parks Information on nos. of vehicle-related incidents reported as part of risk management system. |
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 |
Other priorities Levels of theft may not be felt to justify Secured Car Park status. |
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 |
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Inland Revenue/ Customs and Excise / Benefits Agency |
Intelligence/ joint enforcement |
More effective enforcement |
Competing priorities Constraints on information sharing |
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 |
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Insurers and finance houses |
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 |
Fewer claims |
Action by one insurer may benefit all: no competitive advantage |
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 |
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LA Business/contracts services |
LA vehicle fleet management |
Fulfilling requirements of Section 17 / Best Value. |
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 |
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Local Education Authority/ schools |
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 Help in meeting literacy/numeracy etc targets Links with citizenship programmes etc. Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value |
Pressure on staff and on the curriculum Pressure to raise academic standards. |
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 |
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LA Environmental Services |
Rapid removal of abandoned vehicles, using powers in Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978. 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 |
Separation of functions at local level Services may involve several different service providers LA21 sometimes confined to environmental protection/ conservation |
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 |
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LA Finance |
Quantify internal losses from vehicle crime Use insurance/risk management regimes to minimise losses. |
Potential savings. Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value. |
Time/effort involved in collecting data. |
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LA Fire & Rescue |
Initiatives to reduce & respond to vehicle arson. Powers to require rapid removal of vehicles deemed to pose a fire risk. |
Reduction in calls arising from vehicle arson Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value |
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 |
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LA Housing / Housing Association |
Effective neighbourhood design and management. Role for area managers & neighbourhood wardens in providing information / identifying and dealing with nuisance / abandoned vehicles. |
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 |
Pressure for quick wins at the cost of long term benefits |
Solihull are examining a scheme to exclude people convicted of vehicle crime from LA garages. Contact: David Jones 0121 704 8353 |
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LA Leisure/ Cultural services |
Raising awareness 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 |
Concern not to fuel fear crime/ draw attention to the problem |
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LA Planning |
Can require a crime impact analysis in any planning application Crime prevention guidelines for developers Design improvements when neighbourhoods are redeveloped |
Better planned neighbourhoods have less crime Fulfilling the requirements of Section 17/ Best Value 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 |
The Bromsgrove crime reduction strategy includes a commitment to developing supplementary planning guidance aimed at reducing vehicle crime. Contact: |
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LA Regeneration |
Vehicle crime reduction measures as part of wider strategies for regeneration/neighbourhood renewal |
Less crime will help to foster neighbourhood renewal. Fulfilling the requirements of Section 17/ Best Value |
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LA Roads and highways |
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. |
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. |
Focus has tended to be on meeting targets for cutting road accidents Few links in the past with community safety Pressure on budgets. |
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 |
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LA Social Services |
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 Fulfilling requirements of section 17 / Best Value. Proposed new target to improve life chances of young people in the ‘looked after’ sector. |
Pressure of child protection work consumes resources. Concerns about stigmatising vulnerable groups. |
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LA 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 |
Vehicle-related issues are a major source of complaint Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value |
No powers of arrest Enforcement may work best in joint operations with the police |
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 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 |
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LA Transport |
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
Fulfilling requirements of Section 17/Best Value |
Checks that vehicle is legitimate are outside the department’s remit |
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LA Youth Service and voluntary youth services |
Youth diversion projects / projects to encourage responsible road use. |
Taps into young people’s interests. Focus on youth crime may help to get resources |
Service has had many resource cuts Concern that crime-focused, targeted youth work may stigmatise young people |
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 Projects |
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Local businesses, including
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Sponsorship or help ‘in kind’ Action targeted on hot spots e.g. hotel & supermarket car parks Discounts/promotion of approved security products. 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. |
Other pressures on resources |
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 |
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Local Media and auto-trading magazines |
Awareness raising
Deterrence
Naming and shaming
Data to identify suspicious cases. |
Public interest |
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 653206 |
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Local motor traders |
Promotion of secure vehicles/security products/ covert and overt vehicle marking Help in rooting out rogue traders |
Competitive edge Rogue traders can damage local trade |
Traders may think that security doesn’t sell cars |
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Motoring organisations (AA, Autoglass etc) |
Encouraging reporting Natural surveillance |
Support for motorists |
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 |
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Neighbourhood watch/ crime prevention panels |
Awareness raising Property marking Help in identifying vulnerable vehicles and crime hotspots |
Vehicle crime affects the community and its reputation Responds to public concern |
Impact depends on the time and commitment put in by volunteers NW coverage is incomplete |
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Police |
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 |
Help from other agencies to reduce crime Fulfilling the requirements of S17/ Best Value Potential impact on overall recorded crime Responding to public concern |
Traditional focus on enforcement rather than prevention – though this is changing Capacity to manage/process data. |
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 |
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Probation Service |
Experience of motor projects Work to challenge offending behaviour. Community service |
Mobilising other agencies for effective interventions to reduce rates of reconviction. Opportunities to enhance offenders’ basic skills/employability. |
Only work with a relatively small number of persistent offenders |
Blackpool use suitable offenders on community service orders to patrol hotspot car parks wearing high visibility jackets. Contact: Andy Smith 01253 607342 |
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Rail operators / Railtrack/ British Transport Police |
Data/intelligence Law enforcement 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. |
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Residents’ Associations |
Direct experience of the problems & practicalities Knowing what would secure other residents’ support |
Less crime, better quality of life |
Divisions within the community Lack of confidence that things can improve. |
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Town centre managers |
Better car park security / promotion of secure car parks. Effective / co-ordinated use of CCTV. |
Car crime and fear of crime deter visitors, and damage town centre vitality |
Concern not to fuel fear of crime/ draw attention to the problem Cost of security improvements |
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 |
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Traffic Wardens |
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. |
Extension of role. |
Extension of role. Local authority traffic wardens lack direct access to the PNC. |
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 |
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Victim Support |
Support for victims Help in preventing revictimisation Information on mode of operation |
Keep victim perspective on local partnership agenda |
Only know of victims identified by the police Vehicle crime victims not a high priority |
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.uk |
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Volunteers |
Presence /advice in vehicle crime hotspots |
Help in creating a safer community. |
Need to put time into recruitment/oversight/support. |
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 |
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Youth Offending Teams |
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. |
Mobilising other agencies for criminality prevention/ early intervention. Opportunities to enhance young peoples’ skills/employability. |
Many teams relatively new / may need time to build relationships and develop programmes. Competing priorities |
Wessex YOT has developed a modular programme for use with car crime offenders on Final Warnings. Contact: Steve Morrison 01703 463336 |
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Youth Action |
Involving young people in vehicle crime reduction. Links with c 200 local partnerships. |
Issue often interests young people. |
Link to Youth Action Plus contact point |