Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to support the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Services to help improve police data and to strengthen driver confidence in reporting crimes.

This Government is determined to drive down vehicle crime. We are working with the automotive industry and police, to ensure the strongest response possible. NaVCIS is a national policing unit funded by industry, including finance and leasing companies, insurers and hauliers, to provide dedicated specialist intelligence. We have regular discussions with key partners, including Opal, the police’s national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime, and NaVCIS about tackling organised vehicle crime. Whilst the Government does not fund NaVCIS, we provided £275,000 this year to law enforcement partners to help support enforcement at the ports to prevent stolen vehicles and vehicle parts being shipped abroad, including additional staff and specialist equipment. It is important that drivers report incidents to the police. We expect that all reported crimes should be taken seriously, and where appropriate, investigated by the police and taken through the courts.