May 112010
Media information: 11 May 2010
Making hay while the sun shines is high on the agenda for many farmers, but AVCIS, the Association of Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, is warning the farming community to lock up their tractors and utility vehicles, as machinery theft has escalated in recent months.
Organised crime gangs are going after top-of-the-range farm equipment in rural Britain, which is then smuggled abroad for a lucrative profit. This type of machinery is often worth over £100,000 and from a criminal’s perspective, it is a low-risk, high-reward activity.
“Tractors are relatively easy to steal because most ignition keys are standard and can start any vehicle, commented AVCIS’ Head of Unit, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hooper. “It is a type of crime that has been steadily on the increase, and we urge machinery owners to be vigilance and step-up their focus on security.
“These types of vehicle are the lifeblood of the farming community and losing this type of equipment can be devastating, particularly at this time of year. We advise all farmers to security mark their machinery and keep it locked away in a secure farm building, preferably with outdoor flood lighting, which will often scare intruders away,” continued DCI Hooper.
According to AVCIS’ statistics, Kent is the county that has been hit the hardest, with over 100 tractors still recorded as stolen, closely followed by North Yorkshire, Thames Valley and Norfolk.
AVCIS’ top tips for minimising risk of tractor theft are:
1. Store vehicles in a securely locked and alarmed building
2. Ensure all agricultural machinery, parts and other farm vehicles are security marked
3. Report any suspicious activity in the area to local police
4. Store keys safely and never leave vehicle unattended with keys
5. Use dusk to dawn security lights to deter potential intruders
Car Crime Awareness Week, 17 – 23 May, organised by AVCIS, aims to draw attention to the increase in criminal activity around vehicle theft. Theft of agricultural machinery is just one of many crime areas which will be highlighted during this new annual initiative.
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 Facts1
• AVCIS have recovered in excess of 1777 vehicles
• The total value of recovered assets exceeds £33.2 million
• AVCIS have made 236 arrests
1 AVCIS Data on file. Correct on 16/03/10
