LONG LOST RECOVERY TRUCK FOUND
TRACKER, the UK leader in stolen vehicle recovery, is working with ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) and a number of insurers as part of a national initiative called Operation SEMITA to recover stolen vehicles that have had theft claims settled against them.

As a result of this powerful partnership, a stolen LDV Convoy 400 truck was recovered, after being missing for several weeks. Once the TRACKER device was activated, the lost truck was located in Sidcup, despite having false registration plates.



The recovery truck was stolen from Streatham London and thieves had tried to cover their tracks by using false registration plates relating to another vehicle from Yorkshire, helping them to evade detection by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) used by the police.

Detective Sergeant Mark Tidy of AVCIS explains, "This vehicle had eluded normal policing methods. It is very hard to imagine that the vehicle would have been found without the help of TRACKER. This is a clear example of how police and partners from the private sector can work together, leading to the detection of crimes, the arrest of criminals and, importantly, the return of possessions to their rightful owners."

TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won't even know it's there. Unlike other tracking systems, the device works even if the vehicle is hidden in a garage or shipping container, offering car owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen.

"Sometimes TRACKER devices have been fitted by previous owners, so the current owner is unaware that the technology is on the vehicle and it doesn't get activated at the time of theft," says Stuart Chapman, TRACKER's Police Relationships Manager. "We work in partnership with the police and many major insurers to look where we can use this dormant technology. A TRACKER is never removed from the vehicle, so it can continue to help detect crime and stop criminals in their tracks."

Stephen Doran, Managing Director of TRACKER concludes, "As the UK's leading provider of stolen vehicle recovery systems, we are committed to our social responsibility to assist the police. This case is an example of where we have continued to work with the police and the insurers in the battle against crime, even after our initial commercial relationship with the customer has ended."