Victoria Police's Vehicle Crime Squad (VCS) Second-Hand Dealer Inspection and Closure program today received a bronze award in the police-led category of the 2021 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards (ACVPA).
The ACVPA recognise best practice in the prevention or reduction of violence and other types of crime in Australia and play a vital role in highlighting effective community-based initiatives to prevent crime and violence.
Prior to December 2019, numerous second-hand motor vehicle dealers were breaching registration requirements and/or committing serious offences. New legislation was introduced to close these rogue businesses. The VCS Second-Hand Dealer Inspection and Closure program used an adaptable approach of proactive inspections to put pressure on illegal vehicle operators, reducing the trade in stolen motor vehicles locally and overseas.
Detective Senior Sergeant, John Dimos, said that the VCS team consists of highly trained and dedicated detectives who investigate profit-motivated and organised crime related motor vehicle theft and rebirthing offences, and targets the illicit vehicle export market within the second-hand dealing and scrap metal industry.
"The Vehicle Crime Squad team promotes education, compliance and enforcement. Our consultation with stakeholders and the community enhanced relationships and impacted crime. The project reduced the trade in stolen motor vehicles locally and overseas, closing many rogue operators within the industry, and recovering substantial amounts of property," said Detective Senior Sergeant Dimos.
"The Vehicle Crime Squad is a dynamic investigation team that is passionate and works hard to drive down profit motivated motor vehicle crime throughout Victoria. Being recognised as winners of the ACVPA provides the opportunity to highlight the importance of the work being undertaken by the team and to help educate the community by promoting good business practices in the automotive wrecking and scrap metal industries. The impact of the program has been positive, both locally and internationally." said Detective Senior Sergeant Dimos.
These annual awards recognise the outstanding contributions being made across Australia for crime prevention, including the development and implementation of practical projects to reduce violence and other types of crime in the community.
Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) Director, Michael Phelan APM, said that this initiative is achieving success, and illustrates a proactive use of legislative change to support activities related to stolen motor vehicles.
"The crime reduction that this program has created is significant, a reflection of great policework and stakeholder engagement," said Mr Phelan.
All projects are assessed each year by the ACVPA Board, which is chaired by the AIC Director and consists of senior law enforcement representatives from each state and territory police service.
The awards are a joint Australian Government, state and territory initiative administered by the AIC.
