Lost or Stolen Motor Vehicles - Home | The Met · It is your responsibility to ensure that the...

Lesson 143

Metropolitan Police ServiceDirectorate of Training and Development

Recruit Training School

Foundation Course

Lost or Stolen Motor Vehicles

Protective Marking Not Protectively MarkedPublication Scheme Y/N NTitle Lost or Stolen Motor VehiclesVersion 4Summary Student Lesson NoteBranch/OCU HR3(7)Author David Aherne 078397Date created 21st August 2008Review date 21st August 2011

21.08.08 CST DTD

© Metropolitan Police AuthorityLost or Stolen Motor Vehicles/143

Contents

Objectives............................................................................... 3

Introduction............................................................................... 4

Vehicles reported lost or stolen................................................5

Recently taken.....................................................................5

Special circumstances.........................................................7

Not recently taken/no special circumstances...................... 9

Industrial Equipment.................................................................13

Suspected stolen motor vehicles.............................................14

Powers to Search and Detain.............................................14

Words of Advice.................................................................15

Hints on Investigation of Stolen Motor Vehicles.................... 16

"Tracker"............................................................................ 18

"Data tag"............................................................................18

Stolen motor vehicles found abandoned................................ 19

Burning or Burnt Out Vehicles.............................................23/24

Summary.................................................................................... 25

Key to SymbolsThe following symbols may be found within the lesson.The meaning of each is shown below.

OfficerDanger

StudentActivity

This item isparticularlysignificant

ActivityFeedback

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© Metropolitan Police Authority

Lost or Stolen Motor Vehicles/143

Objectives

After you have studied the written lesson you should beable to:-

1. Describe the action you should take when a reportof a lost or stolen vehicle is made to you in thestreet under the following circumstances:

(a) a vehicle:recently taken; orof high value; orin special circumstances.

(b) in other circumstances

2. State the power to stop a vehicle.

3. Explain your powers to detain the driver of asuspected stolen vehicle.

4. Give examples of the points to cover whenquestioning the driver of a suspected stolen vehicle.

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Introduction

This subject may be separated into three parts:-

1. Motor vehicles reported lost or stolen to anofficer in the street;

2. Suspect stolen motor vehicles stopped by anOfficer in the street;

3. Stolen motor vehicles that an Officer findsapparently abandoned in the street.

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Vehicles reported lost or stolen

Your action will depend on whether the vehicle was:-

(a) recently taken;

(b) not recently taken but where there are specialcircumstances;

(c) not recently taken - no special circumstances.

(a) Recently taken

Generally, if the vehicle has been taken in the previous30 minutes and especially if the taking was actually seen,particulars must, at once, be sent to Central Commandcomplex (CCC) for circulation to other units. You shouldobtain the following details:-

(i) Where taken from(ii) When taken (or between what times)(iii) Registration Mark and full description of vehicle.

ACTION DEPENDSON:-

RECENT;

NOT RECENT, BUTSPECIALCIRCUMSTANCES;

NOT RECENT.

IF TAKEN INPREVIOUS HALFHOUR...

DETAILS TO CCCROOM..

INCLUDE..

WHERE...

WHEN...

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(iv) If seen taken - direction of travel, description ofoccupants.

You should send a message to CCC via your local controlroom or using the Force R/T.

You must include in your message

- Your personal details (rank, number and stationattached).

- The fact that this is a 'hot' car - recently stolen.

- Make, model, type and colour

- Time, place and manner of loss.

- Direction of travel (if applicable)

- Registration mark which must be givenphonetically and repeated.

REGISTRATIONMARK:

DIRECTION OFTRAVEL....IF SEEN

CONTACT CCC

L234JNM

L234JNM

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You may then spend more time in getting further detailsfrom the loser/informant. For this purpose your action willbe basically the same as if the vehicle had not beentaken recently.

(b) Special circumstances

In some cases the loss of the motor vehicle will not bestraightforward. The following are examples of suchcases. There will be others not mentioned here.

(i) Valuable loads

This could be a bulk load of cigarettes, or a stolensecurity company van

ii) Dangerous contents

Such property as dangerous drugs, chemicals, explosives,etc.

SPECIALCIRCUMSTANCESINCLUDE...

VALUABLE LOADS;

DANGEROUSCONTENTS;

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iii) Vehicle likely to be used for crime.

(iv) Vehicle is of a specialtype

Such vehicles as thosebelonging to VIPs, Police orthe armed services etc, willfall into this category.

In cases like the above,despite the fact that thevehicle may have beenmissing for some hours, youraction should be as at (a)"recently stolen", when adecision will be made at CCCas to whether to circulate.

You should also be thorough in your enquiries at thescene as any information you can gather may help toprevent a more serious crime later on. When looking forpossible witnesses, consider houses overlooking thescene, nearby shops, drivers of arby parked cars, childrenplaying in the street or anyone who you might think canhelp.

Having established the when and where and sent amessage to CCC, You may now record fuller details inyour notebook. For this purpose your action will bebasically the same as if the vehicle had not been takenrecently.

SPECIAL VEHICLES

INFORM CCC ATONCE

THOROUGHENQUIRIES AT THESCENE

POSSIBLE CRIMEINVOLVED

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(c) Not recently taken/no special circumstances

You need to take the following details:

(i) Between what dates and times the vehicle wastaken

It may be necessary in some cases to investigatefrom neighbours, for instance, to find out the lasttime the vehicle was seen where the loser left it.

(ii) The exact location of the taking.

If on the street, outside a given premises, or thedistance from the nearest junction, is required.

(iii) A full description of the vehicle.

Make, model, type, colour registration mark, youshould also note such things a visible damage,transfers and other stickers and any other pointsthat may help to identify that particular vehicle.

(iv) Personal particulars of the owner(and informant if not the owner).

(v) Any suspects

You should make local enquiries to find out whetheranyone saw anything suspicious or can help withthe descriptions of possible suspects.

(vi) Recovery by contractors when found

If the vehicle is found in the MPD, a scheme existswhereby a private contractor will remove it to safestorage. This scheme has been devised for thesafe- keeping of such vehicles - however, it's up tothe owner of the vehicle whether or not they want toparticipate in the scheme.

Whilst the cost of removal will be borne by the loserit can normally be recovered from their insurancecompany if their policy covers them for theft.

You should encourage the loser to take part, but thefinal decision is up to them. However if theydecline their vehicle will be left where it is foundand police will take no responsibility for anysubsequent damage.

IF NOT RECENTLYTAKEN, NOTE...

WHEN TAKEN

WHERE TAKEN

FULL DESCRIPTIONOF THE VEHICLE

PARTICULARS OFOWNER/INFORMANT

LOCAL ENQUIRIESRE SUSPECTS

ASCERTAINWHETHER LOSERWISHES TO HAVEVEHICLE RECOVEREDWHEN FOUND

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The crime report should include the following:

"Victim told of vehicle recovery scheme. They wish/do not wish to have their vehicle recovered if found".

The losers should then be directed to a Police Station, ifpossible with their registration document, for additionaldetails to be recorded on a crime report. These detailswill later be filed on the PNC to help identify the vehicleif it is altered in any way. This is also done to confirmownership of the vehicle.

The victim will also sign a Form 1011 (Vehicle RecoveryScheme) if this was not done at the intial time ofreporting

If the loser is attending at once, inform your StationReception Officer. If not, your notes will form the basisof the initial crime report.

At some stage, particulars of the motor vehicle reportedlost or stolen will be put on the PNC. This will be doneby the CAD Operator on your Borough. This will includetheir preference regarding vehicle recovery.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the report isput on the PNC.

Check the facts

Remember that any report of crime merits closeinvestigation. Occasionally a vehicle is reported stolenwhen there is a non criminal explanation ie:

the owner has forgotten where it was parked

the vehicle has been repossessed

it was illegally parked and has been removed

You will find that in some cases, particularly where the'losers' have parked their cars in a strange district, thevehicle has not been taken at all, but was parked in thenext side turning, etc.

On the other hand, if parked unlawfully vehicles may havebeen removed to a car pound or re-positioned around thecorner, you should check this possibility first.

YOU MUST MAKESURE THAT THEVEHICLE IS SHOWNAS LOS ON THE PNC

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Details of all vehicles which may have been so moved arekept, you should first check with CTC, it may be that theMPS contractor have previously been called and taken thevehicle. You can either do this via your P/R and thestation or by telephone.

On Police phone you can contact the centre by diallingCO extension 64003. On ordinary phones dial 020 72304003.

The public may check for themselves by ringing 020 77474747. This number should not be used by PoliceOfficers, neither should the other numbers be given out tothe public.

Details of vehicles removed are not entered on the PNCuntil the vehicle has been in the car pound for 24 hours,so failure to check this possibility out first may meanowners may be without their cars for a day or so, fearingit to have been stolen when all the time it was safelytucked away in a car pound!

Consider also the possibility that the vehicle has beenrepossessed by a finance company, following a lapse inhire-purchase repayments. Your control room shouldhave details if this applies.

As with any other crime you will need to give the victim acopy of the " Victims of crime" booklet.

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Your action on receiving a report of a lost orstolen motor vehicle may be summarised asfollows:

If loser is unable,

Eliminate other possibilities,e.g. towed away?

"Officer - someonehas stolen my car!"

Taken but notrecently? "COLD"

Taken in the last halfan hour? "HOT"

Message to CC by 999(or P/R). Date, time,place. Manner of loss.Colour, make, type andregistration mark(repeated). If seenlast known direction &description of thieves.

Valuable Load,Dangerouscontents,Other SpecialCircumstances?

Full particulars of loser/owner.Full description of vehicleincluding particularidentifying features.Keep colours simple.Exact location whereseen.

Inform loser of the recovery scheme. Direct Loserto police station (if possible with registrationdocument). Create a CRIS report based on yournotes

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Industrial Equipment

In order to combat the theft of industrial equipment,such as mechanical diggers and excavators, knownas "heavy plant", all such equipment manufacturedsince January 1990 is marked with a unique 17figure "Vehicle Identification Number" (VIN) which isstamped on a plate on the chassis.

Manufacturers also provide eachpiece of equipment with an identitydocument in which the owner willnote any changes or additions to theplant.

It is important that when you are investigating thetheft of industrial heavy plant, you obtain details ofthe VIN, as well as the registration mark, which willbe notified to the PNC.

You should also ask to see the identity documentand record any relevant details, but do not takepossession of it because the owner will need it forany insurance claim.

FROM JAN 1990 ALLHEAVY PLANT HAS AUNIQUEIDENTIFICATIONNUMBER

TAKE DETAILS OFSUCH NUMBERS

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You have various powers available to use.

Power To Stop

Sec 163 Road Traffic Act 1988

Drivers of motor vehicles and riders of pedal cycles muststop if requested to do so by a constable in uniform.

Power to Search

Section 1 PACE 1984

This power, you will recall, allows a Constable to searcha person/vehicle or anything which is in or on a vehicle,for offensive weapons, stolen, prohibited, or bladed orpointed articles and allows the Constable to detain theperson/vehicle for such a search to be carried out.

Remember, however, that you must have reasonablegrounds, and the time of detention must be only thatwhich is reasonably required to carry out the search.

Section 1 PACE only gives power to search for articlesand cannot be used for any other purpose.

Power of Arrest

Section 24 PACE 1984

Obviously if you know a vehicle is stolen, eg: fromprevious information, you have the power to detain it andarrest the driver. Make sure that it has not been restoredto the owner first.

If you are unsure of any of the above powers, return tothe appropriate lesson note and revise!

Words of Advice

SUSPECTED STOLENM/V'S:-

SECTION 163ROAD TRAFFIC ACT1988

SECTION 24 PACE

SECTION 1 PACE

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1. Revise the Lesson 24 "Officer Safety - Stop andSearch of Persons and vehicles".

2. Do not step in front of cars to stop them.

3. Do not lean through windows (see 6).

4. Be alert to the danger of assault.

5. Always ask the driver to switch off the engine.

6. Take possession of the keys if possible whiletalking to the driver, but beware of gettingpart of your body held or trapped in the vehicle- you could be dragged along and KILLED!!!

7. Always consider obtaining assistance, or at leastask a mobile unit to be close by.

8. You cannot arrest two people on your own. If thevehicle has more than one person, get assistance.

9. Be alert to drink/drive offences and the possibility ofweapons being carried.

10. Report all "stops" and searches on the relevantform/ systems, ie CRIMINT, 5090, 5091, IRB etc,according to circumstances.

Hints on Investigation of Stolen Motor Vehicles

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The following advice may be justly regarded as one of themost important hints a practical Police Officer may begiven.........

If the suspicion is there and is well founded, the factthat the computer shows 'no trace' of the loss shouldnot affect your action at all.

The PNC is an index which needs the necessary andcorrect information fed in before it will function. It isneither infallible, nor necessarily up to date.

Too many good arrests have been lost by a blindreliance on what is a very useful, but totally unsuspectingtool.

Your investigation must cover two aspects:-

(i) the vehicle itself, and

(ii) the people in it.

IF YOU SUSPECT ANUNLAWFUL TAKING,DO NOT LET ANEGATIVE PNCRESPONSE PUT YOUOFF

CHECKINGOWNERSHIP:-

INVESTIGATE BOTHVEHICLE ANDOCCUPANTS

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"Tracker"

If you are going to complete a search of the bootremember your officer safety!

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Some vehicles are fitted with an electronic device whichcan be activated by a controlling Company to sendsignals to the recieving scanners fitted in the vehicle.Selected Police vehicles are fitted with such receivingdevices. This is a recent innovation but it is becomingincreasingly common.

The system cannot operate unless the correct proceduresare followed when the vehicle is reported lost or stolen.Your part is as follows:-

1. As soon as you are aware that the vehicle is fittedwith a "Tracker", inform your Borough Control andobtain the CAD number.

2. Give the CAD number to the loser of the vehicle andtel him/her to contact the controlling companyimmediately, with the CAD number.

The controlling Company will contact CCC, giving the CADreference. CCC will give them a code number that isrecogniseable by our receiving devices. The Companywill then activate the sending device, with the code. CCCwill inform our receiving vehicles who will commencescanning.

"Data tag"

This is a security system used to help identify stolenmotor cycle parts (it is being widened to include othertypes of property).

Electronic tags can be fitted to the item. They aredetectable only with a special scanning device and can beused to identify the owner.

The Service has the special scanners. If you havesuspicions about a motor cycle their use can be arrangedthrough your Control Room.

The 'Data Tag' is an optional extra that's available for allmotorcycles.

Stolen motor vehicles found abandoned.

IF L/S MOTORVEHICLE FITTEDWITH "TRACKER":-

INFORM CONTROLROOM AND OBTAINCAD REFERENCE

GIVE CADREFERENCE TOLOSER AND...

TELL HIM/HER TOGIVE IT TOTRACKING COMPANYIMMEDIATELY

"DATA TAG":-

ELECTRONIC TAGS

MAY BE FITTED TOMOTOR CYCLES..

DETECTABLE BYSCANNER..

USE OBTAINEDTHROUGHCONTROLLER...

AVAILABLE FOR ALLMOTORCYCLES

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An integral part of your duty is building up a goodknowledge of the area you are responsible for policing.

You will soon get to know which vehicles are normallyparked in which streets and non-local vehicles will stickout like sore thumbs, particularly at night.

A useful source of information is the householders whonotice a 'strange' vehicle in their road, which has notmoved for some days.

Firstly examine the vehicle without touching it.It may have contained a valuable load, been used in

IT MAY NOT BEOBVIOUS A VEHICLEIS ABANDONED

LOCAL KNOWLEDGEWILL HELP YOUPICK OUT STRANGEVEHICLES

USE INFORMATIONFROM LOCALRESIDENTS

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crime, or even be 'booby-trapped' by a terroristorganisation.

Such obvious signs as forced locks, crossed ignition wires,etc, may not be present. The vehicle may be locked butthis doesn't mean it isn't stolen. If it looks 'wrong' thereis no harm in checking it out.

Once you suspect that an abandoned motor vehicle mayhave been stolen, contact your station for a PNC check.This will tell you,

(a) if the vehicle has been reported stolen, and

(b) in most cases the particulars of the registeredowner.

If the vehicle has been reported stolen, the CADController will tell you if the vehicle needs to be preservedfor fingerprinting etc. You must also remove any valuableor suspicious property and enter it in the book 66 onreturn to the station.

Also consider DNA evidence. For example, if emptydrinks cans or discarded cigarette butts are found insidethe vehicle, enquire with the victim to see if they left thesearticles there. If not preserve these items for forensicexasmination.

The next step will be to arrange for the vehicle to becollected as soon as possible. This is why privatecontractors are used as it may not be possible to contactthe loser immediately.

To avoid unnecessary delay in notifying losers that theirvehicle has been found you, as the finding officer, mustcomplete the actions shown on the next page.

Dealing With Burning or Burnt Out Vehicles.

EXAMINE WITHOUTTOUCHING

CHECK ALL VEHICLESYOU ARE UNSUREABOUT

DO A PNCCHECK

FOLLOW THESTATIONCONTROLLER'SINSTRUCTIONS

PRESERVE DNA ANDFINGERPRINTEVIDENCE FOREXAMINATION

YOU AS THEFINDING OFFICERMUST COMPLETECOMPLETE THEFOLLOWINGACTIONS:

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Normally the CAD controller will attempt to contactthe victim on your behalf and make one of thefollowing arrangements:-

1. The loser has elected to take part in thescheme, lives on the borough where thevehicle is found and is contacted within 20mins. Loser collects the vehicle.

2. The loser lives on a different borough orcannot be contacted in 20 mins.Contractor collects the vehicle

3. Loser has elected not to take part in therecovery scheme. Vehicle will be left whereit is found and the owner contacted as soonas possible

However, remember it remains yourresponsibility to attempt to contact the victim andnot that of the CAD staff.

In cases of doubt the vehicle should be recoveredbut the contractor must be told that the loser maynot be willing to pay.

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This may result from a technical fault in the vehicle that causes a fire (mostcommon reason) or a deliberate act by a suspect to try and concealevidence and or the identity of a stolen vehicle or one that has been usedin crime. Keep an open mind until you are sure.

A burning vehicle is a very dangerous thing and poses many danger andhazards to the police, police staff and members of the public.

Burning Vehicles

Hazard

♦ Dealing withBurning Vehicles

Control Measures

Standard Operating procedure! Fire Brigade to be called to all fires

Equipment! Fire extinguishers on all police vehicles! 1st aid kits! Face masks

Specialist Support! Fire Brigade! Ambulance Service! Local Authority

Risk Assessment! You must make a dynamic risk assessment at the scene! Only approach the vehicle if necessary to preserve known life! Establish cordons to protect from explosions and down wind

hazards arising from smoke and dust particles. Seek advicefrom the Fire Brigade re cordon positions.

! Articles/load carried in or on the vehicle may represent a furtherchemical/explosive hazard.

! The senior fire officer has precedence on all safety issues untilhanded over to the police

Risk

" Explosion" Fumes" Fire" Contaminants" Sharp edges

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Hazard

♦ Dealing withBurnt outVehicles

Control Measures

Standard Operating procedureOnly units to deal with burnt out vehicles are:! Fire Brigade! Police Forensic Practitioners! Traffic Patrol vehicle examiners

Equipment! Fire extinguishers on all police vehicles! Specialist protective clothing

Specialist Support! Fire Brigade! Police Forensic Practitioners! Traffic Patrol vehicle examiners! Local Authority

Risk Assessment! You must make a dynamic risk assessment at the scene! Specialist protective clothing must be worn! Radios not to be used near the vehicle damaged by fire to

reduce risk of explosion

Risk

" Explosion" Fumes" Fire" Contaminants" Sharp edges

Burnt Out Vehicles

Do not touch the vehicle as there will be dangerspresent from acids produced by the fire.

Hydrofluoric acid is produced in burning/burnt outvehicles. This will eat through flesh and bone.

Only specialist support officers are equipped with thenecessary protective clothing and training to deal withthis hazard.

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Summary

To sum up, in this lesson you have looked at three areas and your action ineach:-

1. Vehicles reported lost or stolen:

Accurately record details for crime report, circulate if recent or highvalue, etc.

2. Suspected stolen vehicles when occupants present:

Your powers to stop, detain, search and arrest personssuspected of unlawfully taking the vehicle or being carried on it.

3. Suspected stolen vehicles abandoned:

Examine carefully, considering bombs, fingerprints, etc.Check on PNC, create found report and note details in note book.

End ofLesson

© 2006 Metropolitan Police Authority.

All world-wide rights reserved. No part of this work may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in anyform or by any means: photocopy, electronic, mechanical recordingor otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyrightholder.

Subject to Crown Copyright. Enquiries telephone 020 8358 1668.

Lesson verified by Course Support Team - March 2006

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