The category for IAATI Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft is a diverse one. It is open to all law enforcement agencies, insurers, manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders for any initiative that active reduces any type vehicle crime.

Winner of the Award:  Brisbane YMCA / U-Turn program

The recipients of this year’s trophy are a youth diversionary program that seeks to change the lives of your people involved in vehicle crime. It helps to them to break the cycle of offending and learn practical skills that can help them start their lives ion a more positive path.

This particular program delivered outstanding results in its first 12 months of operation by setting new benchmarks for participant retention, graduation and work placement rates and non-relapse to offending. 

Of 61 participants to the end of 2005, 31 were awarded a TAFE certificate. After completing the program, 16 were employed full time, 1 was employed part time  and 3 returned to school.

The following is an extract from the award submission the panel received. It’s a case study on one young man – we’ll call him David – who was enrolled in the program:

David entered the program with an extensive criminal history, and was known amongst other young people as a prolific offender with a reputation for meting out rough justice. It was evident when he first arrived that this was the image that he was more than happy to perpetuate.

Initially he was difficult to manage – angry, argumentative and cynical about the program. Staff found it challenging to deal with his confrontations with the entire group looking on to see ‘who would win’. Staff pointed out that if he could present a valid case instead of just mouthing off, we would consider his request….at which point David suddenly became very adept at debating.

During his time in the program, David gradually developed a sense of humour and earned the respect of all staff. Despite taking up more time than any other participant, youth workers found that he was very reasonable and could be relied on to do the right thing.

Since graduating from the program, David has not only stopped offending, he is working 14 hour days, 7 days a week and has bought a house with his girlfriend. He regularly visits program staff to give updates on how things are going, and speaks to current participant about turning his life around.

Not long ago one of the program staff asked David whether the program had anything to do with where he is now. He burst out laughing and exclaimed “Are you kidding. If it wasn’t for you guys, I’d be in jail or dead by now”. 

Lisa Young (Branch Vice President) presents the Outstanding Contribution Award to Michelle Venables from the Brisbane YMCA U-Turn program.

Seven Certificates of Merit were also presented in this category, including:

Certificate of Merit:  New Zealand Security Association

The First Certificate of Merit this evening is awarded to a professional Association who represent security professionals in NZ. The New Zealand Security Association.              

In 2003 suppliers and manufacturers of Vehicle security products approached NZSA to develop a grading system for their products. This system would extend to the installers of vehicle security products. A special interest group was set up to launch the program. The star Rating system was launched with the support of Government, NZ Insurance council, police and other relevant stakeholders. 

This program has been operating for two years and it is accepted within the industry that the program is reducing vehicle theft in NZ.

The star-rating program introduced the following-

• A five star rating system for all registered Vehicle Security Products;
• A technical committee to inspect and grade the products;
• Registration of installers;
• Competency exam and guidelines for installers to obtain certification;
• In December 2004 the NZ Government announced that all imported vehicles up to 15 years old must be fitted with Immobilisers. The NZSA is working with stakeholders to ensure the products they use are consistent with their Star Rating Standards.

Certificate of Merit:  Crime Reduction Unit (New Zealand Ministry of Justice)

The 2nd Certificate of Merit goes to a very worthy New Zealand entrant – the Crime Reduction Unit, New Zealand Ministry of Justice. Over the last two years the CRU has developed and commenced implementing a comprehensive National Vehicle Crime Reduction Programme (NVCRP) which will have a significant effect on vehicle theft in both the short and long terms.  

The research & review schedule for this program was largely conducted by Ben Young, and included consultation with experts in Australia, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, South Africa and America, as well as representative from a range of public and private local organizations.

The major features of program are the introduction of universal fitting of immobilisers and use of Whole of Vehicle Marking on newly imported cars and light vehicles. Other initiatives under the Vehicle Crime Reduction Programme are:

• Creation of a Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Group, comprising government and industry representatives to monitor the initiatives and recommend reforms;
• An Enhanced Vehicle Deregistration System to make it harder for criminals to use registration plates and VIN from deregistered cars; and
• Joining Australia's Comprehensive Auto Theft Research System (CARS) to integrate, for the 1st time in New Zealand, data from police, insurers and the LTSA.

This increased focus and attention to vehicle theft issues will result in significant reductions in New Zealand’s levels of vehicle theft over the next decade.

Certificate of Merit:  Det. Dennis Connor (SAPOL)

The next certificate recognises the efforts of our current President Dennis Connor.

Dennis has been the South Australian Police representative on the South Australian Vehicle Theft Reduction Committee between 1997 – 2005, the representative of SAPOL on the National Theft Reduction Council between 1998 - 2005 and of course the current IAATI President.

Dennis has contributed to the reduction of vehicle theft in many ways including:

• Representing SAPOL, Drug & Organisational Crime investigation Branch;
• Highlighting to the SAVTR committee the deficiencies with the Transport SA Vehicle Identity Inspection Station;
• Working with other parties on the introduction of the Transport SA 3 Tier vehicle identity Inspections;
• Training Workshops with Transport SA vehicle inspectors;
• Participation in media campaigns to raise public awareness.
• And has delivered numerous presentations in relation to vehicle theft.

Certificate of Merit:  Operation Halite (ACT Policing, AFP)

The winner of the 4th Certificate of Merit in the category of “Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of MVT” hails from Canberra. Operation Halite is an ACT Policing team of investigators and intelligence analysts dedicated to addressing MVT and burglary. Halite strategies target key recidivists and high crime locations.

The team was implemented in September 2004. MVT in the 2004/05 fin year showed a decrease of 22% on the previous fin year, the greatest ACT reduction in 6 years.

Key Operation Halite priorities for the 2004-05 financial year included:

·     developing and implementing intelligence-led policing strategies;

·     a strategic and systematic approach to crime targeting; and

·     participation in whole-of-government responses to crime, traffic and public safety issues.

The operation also incorporates elements of the ACT Government Property Crime Reduction Strategy 2004-2007. Staff led a number of multi-agency operations during the 2004-05 FY, including the execution of search warrants, traffic stops, crime prevention activity, and intelligence gathering. 

Analyses of crime trends that these activities have been successful in reducing criminal activity for an extended period after the operation. 

Certificate of Merit:  Region 3 Task Force (Victoria Police)

The following certificate of merit has been issued to a police task force that is responsible for around 65000 Square Kilometres. The Victoria Police Region 3 Vehicle Theft Task force was created in 2002. Since their introduction they have been responsible for over 1200 vehicle theft related investigations.

They are staffed by Police Officers who have intimate knowledge of motor vehicles, some with a mechanical background. VTTF has the ability to conduct quick and targeted operations to disrupt organised motor vehicle theft.

Since their introduction they have achieved outstanding results, including -

·     281 offenders arrested and charged with 1618 offences;

·     87 vehicles recovered with a value of $2,100,000 and around $360,000 worth of vehicle parts recovered;

They also conduct awareness sessions to Uniform and Traffic Management police to increase their awareness of identifying re-birthed vehicles, understanding legislation and new technologies such as DataDot.

Certificate of Merit:      Approved Inspection Station & Defect Notice Section, Licensing  Business Unit 

The 6th Certificate of Merit goes to an organization the furthest geographical point covered by the Australian IAATI Branch from where we are this evening – regional Western Australia.

The Approved Inspection Section and Defect Notice Section of the Licencing Business Unit is part of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. The team was created to monitor and audit the inspection of all vehicles outside the Perth metropolitan area, some 40,000 vehicles per year.

The specialized audit team consists of 8 staff with a combined 147 years of vehicle inspection experience and 105 years in various automotive trades.

Suspect vehicles are sent to East Perth for rigorous physical inspection. Since January 2000, to team have detected 371 stolen vehicles presented for registration in country WA.  Detections reached their peak in 2003 at 99 that calendar year, and now appear to be in decline.  Only 47 stolen vehicles were detected in 2005.

Certificate of Merit:   Mark Bolace, SA Theft Reduction Committee

The final certificate for this category has been issued to Mark Bolace the Chairperson of the South Australian Vehicle Theft Reduction Committee. The South Australian Vehicle Theft Reduction Committee involves representatives from SA Police, Transport SA, Insurance Council of Australia, Motor Traders Association and RAA Motoring Club of SA.

Under Mark’s direction the South Australian Vehicle Theft Reduction Committee introduced and supported the following initiatives:

·      Development of the Comprehensive Auto-theft Research System (CARS);

·     SA legislation introduced under the Motor Vehicles Act 1959 to manage vehicle identification;

·     SA legislation introduced under the Second Hand Dealers & Pawnbrokers Act and its application to the auto parts Industry;

·     Lobbied SA Government to introduce Written –off vehicle legislation in line with other States;

·     Introduction of Transport SA 3 tier Vehicle Identification program;

·     Focus Group meetings to bring together representatives from SAPOL and Insurance Companies to identify areas of concern relating to vehicle theft.

·     The gotcha car program

·     Student Immobiliser Scheme targeting older vehicles owned by students;

·     And, extensive Media Programs to raise public awareness on vehicle theft risks.