POLICE VEHICLE THEFT INVESTIGATORS’ FORUM

Sub-program A: Reducing the Cost of Theft

Approach A3: Improving Investigative Responses and Inter-agency Co-operation.

Background

The past several years have seen a renewed focus on vehicle theft by police nationally. Many police services have established dedicated “centres of expertise” within their Crime Departments to support local investigations and the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) has adopted motor vehicle rebirthing as one of its priority crimes.

While a broad range of issues impact on any vehicle theft investigation, those that involve more than one state and/or territory can be particularly complex. The extensive involvement of sophisticated criminal networks that operate across borders however has highlighted the need for a significant improvement in the co-ordination of intelligence information nationally.

Work program

Vehicle Theft Investigation Managers’ Forum – 2003 and 2004

In 2003, key vehicle theft investigators and managers from Australia’s state and territory police services and relevant federal agencies participated in the inaugural NMVTRC convened, annual forum to assist cross-border investigation and intelligence sharing.

The Forum highlighted a broad range of issues that impact cross-border investigations. While many of these issues will require on-going discussion and policy development, others lend themselves to more immediate action. The Forum outcomes are outlined in the Police Vehicle Theft Investigation Forum Communiqué (2003).

 In 2004, several of the key issues highlighted by the first forum were addressed in greater detail.  A significant outcome of the event was the commitment by the ACC to work with the NMVTRC in the development of a joint work program and the commitment of investigators to support the ACC in that work.  Click here for a report on the 2004 forum.

Next Steps