The National Vehicle Crime Partnership (NVCRP), has welcomed a new report released today (25/6), which calls for the creation of a national investigative body and national coordination of the police, partner and industry response to organised vehicle crime.

The report published by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) states that vehicle theft is costing the UK over £1.75 billion in economic and social costs and highlights how organised crime groups (OCGs) have rapidly evolved into sophisticated, well resourced, technically enabled, structured groups committing high value vehicle thefts across the UK.

The NVCRP, which was was formed in November 2024 by police, Government and industry to combat vehicle-related crimes, has proposed a multi-pronged action plan including strengthening port security, closing intelligence gaps, modernising legislation and enhancing vehicle security through manufacturer collaboration and swift intelligence sharing, all of which feature in the recommendations of the RUSI report.

Mark Kameen, Project Lead at the NVCRP, said “We welcome the Report's findings, including the need to improve our understanding and intelligence capabilities in respect of this crime type, and the need for a dedicated national investigative body. Implementation of these recommendations is essential if we want to keep pace with this evolving and sophisticated threat, and to protect victims, communities, consumers and industry.”

“Public private sector partnerships have a very important role to play in the fight against organised vehicle crime, especially with police resources stretched and prioritising high threat, harm and risk offences. The NVCRP can support and facilitate data sharing opportunities, new technology, training, crime prevention initiatives and support operations. We have a key role to play in the national response to this issue and in helping to implement the recommendations in the report.”

“I'm delighted that RUSI has recognised the critical role the NVCRP plays in tackling organised vehicle crime, and in fostering the kind of cross-sector collaboration and proactive security thinking that is essential to staying ahead of evolving threats."

The report acknowledges that the nature of vehicle crime has changed dramatically. It is no longer a localised, opportunistic crime. Instead Organised Criminal Groups run structured operations, often acting on a 'stolen-to-order' basis moving cars across multiple police force jurisdictions making investigation and enforcement even more challenging.

The NVCRP are working closely with The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) and OPAL, the national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime to try and change how the UK respond to tackling organised vehicle crime.

Mark commented: “Critical to tackling modern day vehicle crime is funding. We know that additional public funding is unlikely because of prioritising high harm crimes. As mentioned in the report, we need to look at additional funding models such as private sector funding from the automative and insurance industries if we want to effectively tackle the issue. Our partner The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) is 100% funded by private industry, and the work they do at our ports is essential in supporting police forces to tackle the exportation of stolen vehicles. The NVCRP is speaking with the Home Office and industry partners to look at funding options and the way organised crime is investigated. The report endorses this as the right approach.”

You can read the full RUSI report here: Organised Vehicle Theft in the UK | Royal United Services Institute