Preventing Vehicle Crime in Australia Through Partnerships and National Collaboration (From Understanding and Preventing Car Theft -- Crime Prevention Studies, Volume 17, P 45-65, 2004, Michael G. Maxfield and Ronald V. Clarke, eds.)

• NCJ Number: 208050
• Author(s): Ray Carroll
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For other chapters, see NCJ-208049 and NCJ-208051-57.

Annotation

This paper describes the origins and operating principles of Australia's National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC), which was established in February 1999 to design and implement strategies to reduce Australia's high rate of vehicle theft.

Abstract

The NMVTRC is governed by a board composed of senior representatives from the national bodies of Australian police services, transport agencies, motor manufacturers, insurers, motor trades, motoring associations, and governments. The ongoing challenge for the NMVTRC is to ensure that key stakeholders remain aware of and committed to reducing vehicle theft in the face of competing problems. This is done by dividing the agency's operations into four areas: setting the national theft reform agenda, planning and setting priorities, government and industry agreements and commitment, and the implementation of reforms. The scope of NMVTRC's activities is illustrated by describing three of its projects. One project is the establishment of a statistical database that can be used to identify changing vehicle theft trends. The Comprehensive Auto Theft Research System (CARS) became fully operational in the latter part of 2000, and the system now provides stakeholders with a detailed analysis of vehicle theft on a quarterly basis. A second project involves improving vehicle identification in order to deter dealing in stolen cars and parts by increasing the likelihood of detection. The NMVTRC facilitated the introduction of incremental levels of vehicle marking by using market forces as the primary driver. Further, the council devised a comprehensive evaluation methodology for measuring the impact of VIN (vehicle identification number) microdot marking on the theft of two high-risk brands of cars. The third project of the council has been the development of the capacity of Australian States and Territories to deliver effective diversionary programs for young vehicle theft offenders. An overview of the council's effectiveness and challenges for the future is provided. 18 references and 4 notes