BOSS has signed an information sharing agreement (ISA) with the Association of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) that will enable the wider circulation of vehicles of interest, particularly with regards to linking vehicles that owe money for fuel to be linked to other criminality.
Kevin Eastwood, executive director at BOSS, said: โThis is another positive step on behalf of all UK fuel retailers to reduce crime on Britainโs forecourts. By securing agreement with AVCIS BOSS will be able to share and develop data and intelligence on criminal activity with a view to identifying, detecting, disrupting and bringing to justice those committing forecourt crimes.โ
Chris Hearn, deputy head of AVCIS, said: โWorking more closely with BOSS and forecourt retailers we will help us to reduce vehicle and vehicle-enabled crime by building greater knowledge of criminal activity.โ
AVCIS is a national intelligence unit that not only runs its own operations and investigations but also disseminates key data, intelligence and advice to police forces, industry, government and other enforcement agencies. In recent years the UK has seen a notable reduction in vehicle crime, with thefts of vehicles falling from 378,000 in 1997 to around 90,000 in 2013. Pictured left to right are Kevin Eastwood, BOSS executive director, with Chris Hearn, AVCIS deputy head.
About the British Oil Security Syndicate Ltd
BOSS is a not-for-profit independent trade organisation campaigning to reduce forecourt crime. Formed in 1991 by the oil industry, membership is available to all fuel retailers and oil companies. BOSS is supported by the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA), UK Payments Administration and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). For further information about BOSS – visit www.bossuk.org
