Vehicle Crime
Intelligence-led vehicle crime reduction: An evaluation of Operation
This study provides an evaluation of an intelligence-led vehicle crime reduction project implemented by West Surrey police in the West Surrey Basic Command Unit (BCU) in early 2003. The project, codenamed Operation Gallant, was funded from a grant by the Home Office Police Standards Unit and was designed to replicate Operation Igneous - a much larger project undertaken by Kent County Constabulary.
Title: Intelligence-led vehicle crime reduction: An evaluation of Operation Gallant
Author: Rick Brown, Amanda Cannings, Jonathan Sherriff
Series: Home Office Online Report 47/04
Date published: November 2004
Number of pages: 37
What is Operation Gallant?
Operation Gallant was an intelligence-led vehicle crime reduction project run for 3 months in the BCU. Vehicle crime patterns were analysed on an on-going basis and these generated local interventions, based on a menu of tactics predominantly developed by Operation Igneous.
How was it carried out?
Although a number of tactics were deployed most of the effort focussed on using direct mail to provide the owners of high-risk vehicles with crime prevention advice while police carried out a programme of offender targeting in the area. This was supported by a media campaign consisting of advertisements, press releases and radio coverage, aimed at informing local residents about what Surrey police were doing to tackle vehicle crime.
What was the impact of Operation Gallant?
Between February and April 2003, vehicle theft declined by 17% across the BCU area (while there was almost no change in East Surrey or in the force as a whole) compared to the same period in 2002.
Vehicle crime as a whole in the BCU area (West Surrey) reduced by approximately 7%. Although it was not as great as the reduction witnessed in East Surrey.
Reductions in West Surrey's vehicle crime continued after the evaluation had finished, with a 20% reduction in vehicle crime overall witnessed between May and July 2003 (compared to the previous year).
Unfortunately it is not possible to determine which of the interventions might have brought about the reduction. Neither the crime reduction advice provided to owners of high-risk models, nor the offender targeting activity could be proven to have brought about the reduction in vehicle theft.
How was the operation perceived?
From a police perspective
The initiative took time to build up momentum among police officers, although this was largely due to the short lead-in time available. Once up and running, the operation generated a great deal of activity from officers across the BCU. Although many of the activities might be considered routine, the operation allowed these to be directed in a more focused manner.
In general, the operation received a favorable response from officers that had been involved, although it was recognised that this was resource intensive and only made possible with additional funding for equipment and overtime.
From a vehicle owner perspective
A total of 4,726 vehicle owners were contacted by the direct mail approach. A postal survey of 3,000 of these found that 67% of those whom received the letter had not previously been aware that their vehicle was more at risk than others in West Surrey.
60% of owners of high-risk models took at least one additional security measure following the letter/ crime prevention pack.
Was the operation cost effective?
Operation Gallant cost approximately £185,000 to implement during February to April 2003 and it is estimated £158,400 was saved by prevented vehicle crime and criminal justice system costs. Although it is a negative cost-benefit ratio, a longer implementation period may result in a positive ratio.
Conclusions
Operation Gallant indicates that a reduction in vehicle theft can be achieved by implementing an intelligence-led approach to directing local interventions. However, this can be a resource-intensive approach (depending on the interventions employed) requiring the activity of officers from across a BCU. At present, it is unclear how much local intervention would be required to achieve similar results elsewhere.
Last update: Monday, September 11, 2006