Police have hailed Operation Crassus for leading to the recovery of goods and vehicles worth over £1.1m.
In April and May 2008 the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum (NRPIF) with the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) and Ports Police around the UK took part in Operation Crassus.<br><br>They sought to identify the amount of stolen plant being moved on the strategic road network. This was supported by the newly formed Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit.<br><br>During this ACPO Operation, items recovered included rollers, trailers, mini excavators, back fillers, back diggers, Bobcats, Dumpers, JCB buckets, compressors, generators, tractors, whacker plates, telehandlers and other miscellaneous items. One piece of machinery recovered was an excavator worth £200,000. There were a number of stolen vehicles which ranged from high value cars, to Transit vans, with stolen lorry wheels and caravans. <br><br>There was also a large quantity of items recovered at ports around the country either within the loading sites or in containers. These were bound for both Europe and Africa.<br><br>Kevin Howells director of Datatag, which incorporates the CESAR plant marking scheme said:<br>”Op Crassus clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when we adopt a joined up approach – the Cesar scheme is gathering tremendous pace with major manufacturers both in UK and Europe. With the recent announcement of the new Thatcham security star rating accreditation scheme, it will only be a matter of time before all equipment will be protected and registered. <br>I would like to commend all the police officers and forces who took part in this operation and would encourage Op Crassus to become a regular method of denying criminals the use of the roads.”<br><br>Leading this on behalf of ACPO Chief Superintendent Geraint Anwyl and Chair of NRPIF said: “Theft of plant is all too common and results in huge disruption and economic loss. This operation has provided a snapshot of the sheer scale of the problem and will inform further enforcement activity in the future.”
