Jun 152010
VANS CONTINUE TO BE TOP TARGET FOR THIEVES
Which car is most likely to be stolen from a driveway? A brand new Audi TT or a battered 10-year-old Ford transit? If you thought the Audi TT would be more desirable to criminals you would be wrong, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS). The common ‘white van man’ vehicle tops the list of the ten most popular vehicles to be stolen in 2009, for the second year running.
“The rise in thefts of vans demonstrates their potential value in terms of spare parts, scrap metal and the prospect of stealing extra ‘booty’ within the contents of the van.” said Head of AVCIS, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hooper. “Often, these stolen vehicles are dismantled quickly, so our advice to vehicle owners is to ensure that their security is as tight as possible.”
The top 10 stolen vehicles of 2009 are1:
1) Ford Transit
2) Ford Fiesta
3) Vauxhall Astra
4) Volkswagen Golf
5) Vauxhall Corsa
6) Ford Focus
7) Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
8) Ford Mondeo
9) Ford Escort
10) Vauxhall Vectra
Regionally, you are even more likely to be a victim of car crime if you live in Chislehurst (Kent), Wingate (Durham) or Redbridge (Essex), which were named as the UK’s top three car crime hotspots in 2009.2
Furthermore, across the UK, an astonishing 40% of UK drivers have been a victim of car crime,3 and with only a 51% chance of recovering a stolen vehicle,4 drivers need to know whether they are at high risk and how to protect their property.
These statistics are highlighted as part of AVCIS’ inaugural Car Crime Awareness Week (17 – 23 May). “Car Crime Awareness Week has been established as an annual reminder for motorists to be vigilant in order to prevent becoming a victim of crime,” said DCI Hooper. “From simple things such as keeping car keys out of sight to more detailed guidelines on what to look for when buying a used car, this week will provide an occasion for all those involved within the sector to offer advice and help motorists reduce theft opportunities.”
AVCIS advises that motorists follow the guidelines below to help prevent vehicles from being targeted:
• Secure your home by locking downstairs doors and windows. Also ensure that conservatories and garages are locked as well as any connecting doors to the house. Side gates and access to the back garden should also be secured
• Burglaries do not only occur when the occupants are asleep or away from home; opportunist thieves will strike while doors are left open, for example while you are unloading your car. Do not leave your keys in your vehicle, in the door or in a place that is immediately visible upon entry to the house
• Consider whether the existing locks on your windows and doors are resistant to being opened with force. If not, seek out more secure replacements
• Offenders sometimes ‘fish’ keys through letterboxes and windows using the so called ‘hook and cane’ method so keep your keys out of sight, away from windows and letterboxes. Also ensure your spare keys are concealed
• Criminals will patrol housing estates to select cars within the district which they deem suitable to steal. If you think you are being followed or if you see a car acting suspiciously, take down the registration number and any details of the vehicle before reporting to your local police
• If you have a garage, use it to store your car whenever possible
Notes to Editors
For more information, please contact a member of the AVCIS PR team either by telephone: 01908 635300, or on AVCISPR@rsm-live.com.
It is recognised that ‘traditional’ vehicle crime, such as theft of or from vehicles is no longer regarded as a policing priority by most forces. Therefore, under the guidance of the Association of Police Officers (ACPO) portfolio lead for Vehicle Crime matters, the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) was launched on 15th December 2006 and is based in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire within the NIPA (National Policing Improvements Agency) site. The unit was initially funded by the Home Office, through the ACPO Acquisitive Crime Board and answers to Deputy Chief Constable David Ainsworth, of Wiltshire.
AVCIS does not exist in isolation, but operates within a complex and dynamic environment where national priorities are changing and high-level strategies require constant interpretation and reinterpretation. AVCIS works with partner agencies and all stakeholders within the trade and associated businesses to provide the most effective response. AVCIS speaks for the UK policing in respect of vehicle enabled crime matters.
AVCIS incorporates a number of specialist functions including TruckPol, the national freight crime intelligence service, and the Vehicle Fraud Unit who investigate organised finance fraud.
AVCIS offers the UK Police Service:
• A single point of contact for advice in relation to vehicle crime
• A team committed to tackling vehicle enabled crime
• An opportunity to work free from the barriers and constraints of a single police force
• No draw on resources for other operational matters
• A credible voice for the service within the industry
• A new concept with the full backing of the ACPO and therefore definition of all police forces in the UK
AVCIS – The Facts4
• AVCIS have recovered in excess of 1777 vehicles
• The total value of recovered assets exceeds £33.2 million
• AVCIS have made 236 arrests
References
1 AVCIS data on file. Statistics collated from March 2009 to March 2010.
2 www.moneysupermarket.com
3 http://www.carrentals.co.uk/media/media-news
4 AVCIS Data on file. Correct on 17/05/010
