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Import/Export of Stolen Motor Vehicles

NCJ Number
124509
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 63 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March, 1990) Pages: 28-33
Author(s)
H Stoppelenburg; B Springvloed
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
In the Netherlands, criminal investigation departments have difficulty detecting motor vehicle theft and apprehending offenders as international standardized information retrieval systems are lacking.
Abstract
The port of Rotterdam has gained a reputation of having little or no control over car thefts, which has prompted a steady flow of stolen cars from France being shipped out through the port. As a result, two police officers were given specialist practical training in shipping procedures and motor vehicle identification. The information they gathered was compiled into a reference book to assist in the training of other police forces in the Netherlands. In West Germany, a system, designed to combat vehicle insurance fraud, uses a computer to compare the identification numbers of exported vehicles with those on the stolen vehicles index. In Holland, the Permanent Auto Team system was set up to monitor insurance "write offs" to safeguard against a stolen vehicle with the identity of a wreck being put back into circulation. This system uses a multi-agency approach bringing together government, police, and commercial interests. (Author abstract modified)