According to Interpol, in recent years, law enforcement agencies have seen a rapid evolution in the global vehicle crime landscape, as well as an increased convergence with other areas of organised crime.
Stolen vehicles are frequently trafficked in order to finance and carry out activities, ranging from drug trafficking, arms dealing, people smuggling and international terrorism.
With this in mind, some 130 international experts from 30 countries around the world recently gathered in Mexico to discuss the latest vehicle crime investigation patterns, new technologies available to law enforcement, cooperation challenges in vehicle supply chain security and how to enhance cooperation between Interpol member countries. The three-day Interpol Global Conference on Vehicle Crime, organised in close collaboration with Mexico’s Procuradoría General de le Republica (PGR), aimed to boost the global exchange of information and develop best practices.
Participants included senior law enforcement officials from Interpol member countries, public prosecutors and vehicle registration authorities. The private sector also played a key role in the event with insurance and financing companies, security technology developers, and manufacturers such as General Motors and BMW AG all in attendance. The event was also supported by key sponsor Onstar, the technological division of General Motors.
The event highlighted the need for increased cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the private sector in order to share information and technologies, modus operandi and case studies.
Opening the event, José de Gracia, Assistant Director of Interpol’s Criminal Networks unit, said: “Interpol will continue to embrace its role as a global focal point for both law enforcement and the private sector to collaborate in order to disrupt organised criminal groups involved in the illicit trade of stolen motor vehicles.” During the meeting, particular focus was given to the technologically-enabled threat of criminals exploiting the key fob to steal a vehicle by intercepting its signal. This modus operandi has been very prevalent in areas of Europe and North America and poses a new challenge for law enforcement.
The conference was held under the auspices of the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World. The Foundation is a rallying point for likeminded organisations and persons to unite with Interpol and the global law enforcement community in a joint response to today’s challenges.
