VIN Chip & SPARC Train 100+ Officers to Crack Down on Machinery & Leisure Vehicle Theft

VIN Chip is proud to announce a successful collaboration with the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) and Police Scotland, which recently saw over 100 officers trained at six locations across Scotland. This initiative aims to strengthen efforts in combating leisure vehicle and machinery theft through an enhanced multi-agency investigative approach.

As part of the collaboration, SPARC and Police Scotland took possession of eight new long-range UHF RFID scanners supplied by VIN Chip and CRiS. These scanners will significantly aid law enforcement in the identification and recovery of stolen vehicles and machinery, furthering the fight against rural crime in Scotland. PC Rankin, who attended the training, said: "Very informative and has provided knowledge to allow me to feel more confident in identifying and researching stolen plant and leisure vehicles."

Nick Mayell, a veteran with 37 years of experience in recovering stolen plant and agricultural machinery, and Martyn Leigh, a former detective with extensive investigative expertise, led the training as Police Liaison Managers at VIN Chip. Their combined knowledge ensured an engaging and impactful course, equipping officers with essential identification and investigative skills. The day-long course covered critical topics, including rational selection, preliminary roadside checks, and the use of identification systems such as VIN CHIP ID and CESAR ID. PC Turnbull noted: "I was very impressed and found it to be much more in-depth than expected. It covered an area most officers have little or no experience in."

In January, a highly successful training day in Stirling saw over 30 officers and staff participating. Due to its success, VIN Chip was invited back to provide training at five additional locations across Scotland, starting in Inverness and ending in Dumfries and Galloway. Officers were quick to praise the quality and relevance of the training, with PC Welsh stating: "Very informative and delivered in an engaging manner." Meanwhile, PC Hamilton added: "Definitely something I will be trying to utilise operationally."

Looking ahead, VIN Chip is committed to further supporting Police Scotland with additional resources and training in the coming years. The collaboration with SPARC and Police Scotland highlights the shared commitment to fighting theft in Scotland's rural and construction sectors. PC Murray summed up the impact of the course: "Very informative. I now feel confident in checking plant and caravans."

Lauren Semple, Sergeant at Police Scotland added: "The training has been invaluable, providing our officers with the knowledge and tools they need to tackle rural crime more effectively. The partnership with VIN Chip is already proving to be a game-changer."

John Lally, CEO of VIN Chip, said: "This partnership exemplifies the importance of working together with law enforcement to combat, detect, and prevent theft in Scotland. We are proud to contribute to the protection of these sectors and support the incredible work being done by SPARC and Police Scotland."

Police forces interested in scheduling one of these free courses are encouraged to contact VIN Chip or email enquiry@vinchip.co.uk for more details. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain invaluable insights and practical tools to combat machinery theft effectively.