Ready, steady ... oh, forget it ...

Aside from providing thieves with a ‘success chart’ every 6 months by proclaiming to the world which vehicles were being taken most, what did the (2019) Vehicle Theft Taskforce (VTT) do for us?

By 2019, the problem of increased vehicle theft was known; simply adding-up crime report numbers evidenced that crooks considered stealing vehicles a rewarding activity. Recovery rates had fallen; the thieves were successful, and the risk was low. West Midlands Police (WMP) had seen a 3-fold increase in car thefts since 2015!

2019 ... enter the VTT ‘spearheaded’ by WMP’s Crime Commissioner which would work to:

1. improve vehicle security standards
2. introduce tough new procedures for the salvage industry – make legislation changes to prevent abuse of the motor salvage process
3. and restrict the sale of tools, both mechanical and electronic, which can be used to steal vehicles – determine if measures were required

The WMP CC said: “I have been calling for the government to take more action on vehicle crime for some time. Through this taskforce I want to see swift action to bring down vehicle thefts and disrupt the operation of organised criminals’.

The WMP CC’s post added:

'A representative from the PCC’s office will sit on the taskforce which will meet every 6 months and includes key players in the car industry. Other than the Met, the West Midlands is the only force represented.'

Really? The Metropolitan Police (MPS) were not present and the VTT did not meet every six months. Indeed, despite its purpose, to address an identified issue, the VTT met once, never again!

The first and only meeting, on 15/01/2019, saw 20 people travel to London. What they discussed and the subsequent ‘actions’ can be read here:

• VTT meeting notes

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) was present at the 15/01/2019 meeting but now appears to be unaware of the VTT and has no notes of the meeting writing:

'I have confirmed with ACC Sims (Current NPCC Vehicle Crime Lead) that they have no knowledge of the group and can find no records of the taskforce from their predecessor either.

For information, similar work is led by ACC Sims through the National Vehicle Crime Working Group. These meetings are not minuted.'

‘Similar’, not identical work is being undertaken? What work precisely?

In 2022, the WMP PCC reported that car crime jumped by more than a third in the last year alone and nearly quadrupled since 2015. Recently, 01/2024, vehicle theft is reported to have increased by 8%.

It does not appear the NPCC intend to be as forthcoming about their meetings as the VTT and explain these ‘similar activities’. An attempt to determine what has (or has not) occurred has been met with the response:

‘… the following exemption is engaged in relation to your request: Section 31 Law Enforcement. By virtue of Section 31(a)(b) where public authorities have to consider the balance of the public interest in relation to a request, they do not have to comply with the request until such times as is reasonable in the circumstances.

On or before 20/02/2024, I anticipate receiving the NPCC’s public interest test findings. Hopefully, common sense will prevail.

Given that crime numbers have increased, is anyone doing anything and if so, is it the right thing?