2000 Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of Vehicle Theft

Winner of the “Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of Vehicle Theft” award was Mr. Ray Carroll, Executive Director, National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.  Mr. Carroll, a former head of the Victoria Police Crime Prevention Unit, was recognised for his work as Project Manager of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Task Force and his involvement in the establishment of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.  The Council, an independent body has been established under a joint funding arrangement with each of the State and Territory Governments and the Insurance industry.

In presenting the award, Australasian Branch President, Mr. Tony Ward, stated that during the past 4 years Mr Carroll had facilitated the integration of manufacturers, police, insurers, registration authorities, etc and help focus their efforts and ensure that they were all contributing to a nationally coordinated plan.  While Australian motorists will hopefully share in the benefits of this approach over the next few years, Mr Ward noted that the strategies being implemented by Mr. Carroll and the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council have also been adopted by the UK government to form the basis of their new five year strategy.

During the presentation of the awards IAATI also made special mention of the efforts of the Western Australian Government for their recent introduction of legislation ensuring all new vehicles are fitted with an engine immobiliser and that second hand vehicles are also fitted with immobilisers prior to change of vehicle ownership.  As a result of this legislation Western Australia has the highest level of immobiliser fitment in Australia and is currently experiencing declining theft rates.   Mr Ward commended the Western Australian government for it’s initiative saying not only did it introduce the legislation but it supported it with a $40 rebate to vehicles owners, thereby substantially lowering the cost of immobilisers.”