A recent partnership between the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP) and Inspector Kem Ofo of the Barnet Community Policing Team has yielded impressive results in the ongoing fight against vehicle-enabled crime. With the support of funding from NVCRP, the Barnet team carried out a successful three-day Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operation, which led to significant progress in tackling criminal activity linked to vehicles.

The NVCRP's financial contribution was part of an intensification week of activities aimed at addressing the growing problem of vehicle crime in the borough. This funding enabled the involvement of specialist central units, including interceptor teams, to bolster the capacity and effectiveness of the operation.

The operation began on March 25th, when the Barnet Community Policing Team, supported by additional specialist teams, focused their efforts on detecting stolen vehicles, identifying wanted offenders, and targeting those committing crimes enabled by vehicles. The operation aimed to disrupt criminal networks using the road network within Barnet, and its success highlights the importance of multi-agency collaboration in combating organised crime.

Inspector Kem Ofo, who led the operation, said: “The support we received from the NVCRP was invaluable. It enabled us to bring in specialist units and resources that made all the difference during our intensification week. The funding provided us with the ability to enhance our efforts and tackle vehicle crime head-on. The results speak for themselves, with 40 arrests and 20 stolen vehicles recovered, which will significantly impact criminal activity in the area.”

The operation resulted in an impressive 40 arrests, including individuals wanted by the courts and those involved in serious vehicle-enabled crimes, such as aggravated burglary, traffic offences, and sexual offences. In addition to recovering 20 stolen vehicles, officers processed drivers for a range of offences, including dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and engaging with vehicles with cloned plates.

The successful outcome of the operation was a testament to the hard work and commitment of all officers involved, as well as the collaborative efforts between Barnet’s Community Policing Team, NVCRP, and specialist units. The intensive three-day initiative underscored the crucial role that funding and joint efforts play in tackling complex crime issues that affect communities and disrupt criminal networks.

The NVCRP remains committed to supporting law enforcement in the fight against vehicle crime, working closely with policing teams across the UK to deliver effective solutions to the issues of organised vehicle crime.
Mark Kameen, NVCRP Project Lead, commented: “It was great to support Inspector Ofo and his team during this intensification period. The results of the operation, including the recovery of stolen vehicles and the arrests of those who disregard the laws the majority of people follow, are extremely pleasing. At NVCRP, we are committed to bringing together law enforcement, the motoring industry, and other partners to deliver an effective, unified response to organised vehicle crime.”

For more information about the NVCRP’s work and how it is tackling vehicle crime across the country, visit www.nvcrp.org.