TRACKER LAUNCHES BATTERY POWERED STOLEN PLANT RECOVERY PRODUCT The War Against Thieves Steps Up a Gear Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) expert, TRACKER, has launched a new product to benefit the owners of plant and construction equipment. Battery Powered TRACKER Retrieve has been developed using TRACKER’s award winning technology, yet does not rely on equipment having its own power source in order to operate. An estimated £50 million to £70 million worth of plant and agricultural machinery is stolen every year, of which just five percent is ever recovered. However, this latest innovation from TRACKER promises to further close the net on thieves by helping police quickly locate a wider range of stolen plant and construction equipment. Battery Powered TRACKER Retrieve is based on TRACKER’s successful and proven Very High Frequency (VHF) radio technology. Fundamentally, this is brought together in a robust and waterproof battery powered unit, proven to withstand the harshest plant usage. As with all TRACKER’s SVR solutions, the Battery Powered TRACKER Retrieve is also operated by all UK police forces to locate stolen assets. “Battery Powered TRACKER Retrieve is an important development in our range of SVR solutions. Using its own power source that lasts for five years, the product does not rely on the asset’s battery or indeed the equipment having a battery at all,” says Stephen Doran, Managing Director of TRACKER. “When the customer reports the theft to the police and obtains a Crime Reference Number, TRACKER activates the unit, which emits a unique signal allowing the police to track the stolen equipment, even if it is being transported or hidden in a shipping container.” TRACKER recovers a staggering 68 per cent of stolen plant machinery within 24 hours of the SVR device being activated and 10 per cent of those are recovered within just one hour. Over the past 5 years, TRACKER has recovered more than £15 million worth of plant machinery and equipment. The latest offering from TRACKER is Thatcham approved, which means businesses that invest in having a TRACKER device fitted to plant and construction equipment could benefit from a possible insurance discount. Its launch confirms TRACKER’s ongoing commitment to developing new products and solutions to meet the ever changing needs of the assets it protects such as diggers, trailers, dumpers, excavators, cranes and much more. “Battery Powered TRACKER Retrieve is a simple but highly effective way to gain peace of mind should the unthinkable happen,” concludes Stephen Doran. “The fact that our unit is small enough to hide; operates using its own power source and has a signal that can be picked up even if the stolen asset is hidden, means that TRACKER offers an unparalleled level of protection for all plant owners and significantly improves the chances of recovery.” THE WAR AGAINST CAR THIEVES IS A LONG WAY FROM BEING OVER Don’t let your guard down, TRACKER & Chameleon warns motorists. Amidst conflicting reports on car theft figures, TRACKER, the stolen vehicle recovery expert is urging car owners to remain vigilant. Nearly 300 cars are said to be stolen every day. As criminals employ new and sophisticated means, such as ‘jamming’, to outsmart motorists and the police, news that the number of stolen vehicles never recovered is growing – almost 50% – should be a harsh warning to car owners, says TRACKER. Figures from the Home Office report that the number of cars stolen in 2010 fell to 107,000 from 119,000 in 2009, however, the Association of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) revealed at its 2011 Vehicle Crime Conference this week that vehicle crime is on the increase in some regions across the UK. Andrew Miller, director of research at Berkshire-based motor insurance repair research centre, Thatcham, said of the Home Office findings, "We are doing everything possible to crack down on car crime. Now it is the motorist's responsibility to drive down vehicle theft figures.” He went on to explain that the reduction in thefts was "mainly due to the incredible improvements to a raft of security systems…including tracking devices". Unlike any other stolen vehicle tracking device, TRACKER combines GSM, GPS and VHF technology, making it difficult to ‘jam’. Jamming devices used by criminals, disable tracking units by blocking the signal between a GPS satellite and its receiver. Stuart Chapman adds, “People don’t realise how easy it is for jammers to be bought online for as little as £20 and that these are actively being used to get the better of police. Thankfully, all of the 52 police forces across the UK use TRACKER’s stolen vehicle recovery system, which has been designed to overcome jamming, to detect stolen cars. However, motorists need to be aware that if they have installed a tracking device that relies on GPS alone it will not protect them from this type of activity.” To date, TRACKER has recovered over 20,000 vehicles valued at more than £447 million and has assisted the police in making nearly 3000 arrests. Nearly 10% of the 107,000 vehicles stolen in 2010 were recovered by TRACKER, whose figures show that a staggering 68% of stolen vehicles it recovers are found within 24 hours of the stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) device being activated. And 10% of those are recovered within just one hour. Stuart Chapman, head of TRACKER’s Police Relationship Team, says, “We support calls for motorists to protect themselves from the threat of car crime. Vehicle theft remains a very serious issue as thieves use increasingly sophisticated methods to overcome the barriers put in place by manufacturers and savvy car owners. This includes burglary to get hold of car keys. Stealing a car using the owner’s key remains the most common method of vehicle theft today. As such we urge people to think about keeping their car keys safe at all times. What’s more, installing a security device, such as a tracking unit, significantly increases the likelihood of a vehicle being recovered, as well as potentially leading police to make an arrest.” TRACKER HELPS POLICE RECOVER STOLEN VEHICLE IN 10 MINUTES Launch of TRACKER Check speeds up recoveries. TRACKER, the UK's leading stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) company has launched a brand new service specifically designed to help the police trace and recover stolen vehicles even more quickly. TRACKER Check gives officers direct web access to TRACKER’s own SVR information and has already led to Manchester police recovering a stolen Audi within 10 minutes. The launch of TRACKER Check means police officers picking up a signal from a stolen vehicle can view remotely any information TRACKER stores on the vehicle and the circumstances of its theft. More significantly, once a stolen vehicle signal has been picked up, police can speed up the frequency of the signal, making tracking faster and easier. “Previously, police had to telephone TRACKER to request details of a stolen vehicle and then ask for the signal to be speeded up, as they got closer to its location,” explains Stuart Chapman, TRACKER’s Police Relationship Manager. “Now police forces can simply log onto a secure web link to gain access to our own technology and do everything they need remotely. “Thanks to TRACKER Check, we have already seen one of our quickest recoveries ever, at 10 minutes from stolen to recovery. This new system is part of TRACKER’s ongoing commitment to helping the police crack down on vehicle theft. Not only does TRACKER Check enhance the efficiency of our partnership with the police, but as this recent case shows, it is also much more effective.” TRACKER & CHAMELEON STOLEN RECOVERY UPDATE JANUARY-JUNE 2011 More than £7 Million Worth of Cars Returned to their Owners Nearly 80% of which were Stolen Using the Owner’s Keys OVER 90% OF STOLEN CARS FITTED WITH A TRACKER ARE RECOVERED The first half of 2011 saw TRACKER recover nearly £7.5 million worth of stolen cars, resulting in 64 arrests across the UK. Whilst less than half of reported stolen cars are ever recovered* by the police, the success rate radically improves if a TRACKER device is installed. Well over 90%** of stolen vehicles fitted with a TRACKER device are returned to their owners and 80% of these are recovered within 24hrs. Stephen Doran, Managing Director for TRACKER comments: “Being a victim of car theft, particularly if it involved a home burglary or assault, can be very traumatic. But the impact it can have on your finances and disruption to your everyday life can be as equally distressing. Not all insurance policies automatically include hire car cover, and those that do are often for a limited period only. Unless you hire a car at your own expense, your daily routine, such as getting to work, the school run, grocery shopping, all the things we take for granted when we have a car, will become a significant inconvenience. “Motorists need to arm themselves and their car against criminals. Using a combination of GSM, GPS and VHF technology TRACKER is successfully working in partnership with the police to help clamp down on car criminals. With more than 90% recovery rate TRACKER could save you considerable heartache, inconvenience and expense.” TRACKER’s Stolen Vehicle Recovery Facts, January-June 2011: Key Theft Still an Issue: Despite continued warnings to motorists, car key theft continues to be a major issue with 78% of cars stolen January-June 2011 done so using the owner’s car keys. These figures are a vital reminder to people of the value of investing in a good tracking device – increasing the chances of a stolen vehicle being recovered. It’s Not Just Prestige Cars: Over 50% of the vehicles stolen and recovered by TRACKER were valued at less than £20,000. 3% of the vehicles TRACKER recovered were valued at more than £50,000. The biggest price tag came on a recovered Rolls Royce Phantom worth £140,000. A £20,000 BMW M3 was stolen and recovered in Belgium, highlighting the value of TRACKER’s pan-European service, offering motorists added peace of mind. BMW Tops the Stolen & Recovered League Table: For the first time the BMW 1 Series entered the Most Commonly Stolen and Recovered TRACKER league table, topping the chart and knocking the BMW X5 off poll position – which it has held for the last two years. The Volkswagen Golf and Audi RS came in joint third and are both regulars on the league table. However, the VW Golf has climbed up the table from 9th to 3rd position compared to 2010. BASIA ZARYCKA BECOMES A VICTIM OF CAR KEY THEFT TRACKER Helps Police Return Fashion Designer’s BMW Famous fashion designer, Basia Zarzycka had a less than glamorous start to the day, when thieves stole her BMW 735L using just a bamboo stick with a coat hanger tied to it. The homespun device was used to hook the keys from her home, allowing them to drive off into the sunset with the car. TRACKER, the UK’s leading stolen vehicle recovery specialist, reveals that 84% of the stolen cars it recovers are taken using the owner’s keys. Mrs Zarzycka’s BMW was stolen from outside her home, in the middle of the day. Thieves stole the keys from inside the house and took off in the car. Luckily, the vehicle was fitted with TRACKER’s unique stolen vehicle recovery device, which was activated and the BMW was found by police in another part of London. The vehicle was about to be shipped to Lithuania and even had directions inputted into the Sat Nav. However, police got there in time and arrested the driver. “I am extremely happy to be reunited with my car. It has sentimental value because I have a personalised licence plate and the interior been modified to certain specifics, including tinted windows, so I’d hate to lose it,” says Mrs Zarzycka. “I am so relieved I had signed up with TRACKER, otherwise the car could have been gone for good. I received an outstanding service and would recommend TRACKER to anyone.” Stuart Chapman, Police Relationship Manager of TRACKER adds, “Car key theft is a growing problem, but luckily for Mrs Zarzycka, she had a TRACKER unit fitted, otherwise her car would be in Lithuania by now. Our tracking devices continue to play a key role in helping police locate stolen vehicles, return them to their rightful owners and make successful arrests. “TRACKER is the only stolen vehicle recovery provider working with all 52 police forces in the UK and this relationship is essential in helping them find stolen vehicles. By working side-by-side with the police, TRACKER’s unique stolen vehicle recovery system offers a very real threat to vehicle thieves.” TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. Unlike other tracking systems, the device works even if the vehicle is hidden in a garage or shipping container, offering car owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen. BMW X5 IS FIRST CHOICE FOR CAR THIEVES IN 2010 £25k or less is the average value of stolen vehicles recovered by TRACKER. BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover, BMW M3 and the Audi RS4 remain the UK’s most desirable cars for today’s thieves, according to the latest figures from stolen vehicle recovery expert, TRACKER. These four cars all retain their top positions in TRACKER’s top ten most frequently stolen and recovered vehicles of 2010. 65 per cent of the vehicles recovered by TRACKER last year were worth an average of £25k. TRACKER reminds motorists to think security and remember that thieves don’t just target cars with a large price tag. “Once again our top ten shows the thieves favourites with the Mercedes SLK and CLK also remaining at the top of the league,” says Stephen Doran, managing director of TRACKER. “The VW Golf is an interesting new entry at number nine, proving that it’s not just owners of prestige vehicles who need to take note. In fact, 65 per cent of the vehicles we recovered in 2010 were worth £25k or less with just 6 per cent being worth £50k to £100k.” The lowest value vehicles stolen and recovered were a Peugeot 406 and Ford Sierra at £1,000. The highest value cars stolen and recovered were a Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG at £120,000 and a Bentley GTC at £130,000, but they represented just 1 per cent of the total stolen and recovered vehicles in 2010. Stephen Doran continues, “These figures show that all car owners are a target for thieves. And with 84 per cent of all the cars we recovered last year being stolen using the keys, we remind every car owner to keep their keys safe at all times. However, having a tracking device fitted will significantly increase the chances of police locating and recovering a stolen vehicle. TRACKER works like an electronic homing device, combining GSM, GPS and VHF technology to provide the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen.” TRACKER works with all 52 police forces in the UK; a relationship that has led to over 2,000 arrests. TRACKER systems include signal jamming detection and work even if the vehicle is hidden in a container or taken underground. Concludes Stephen Doran: “With the most robust stolen vehicle technology in one discreet unit, TRACKER is a major defence in helping car owners protect themselves from thieves.” TRACKER’s Top Ten Most Stolen and Recovered 2010 2009 2010 Top ten cars by make and model most frequently stolen and recovered 1. BMW X5 1. BMW X5 2. Land Rover Range Rover 2. Land Rover Range Rover 3. BMW M3 3. BMW M3 4. Audi RS4 4. Audi RS4 5. Audi A4 5. Audi TT 6. Audi TT 6. Mercedes Benz SL 7. BMW 5 Series 7. Mercedes Benz CLK 8. Mercedes Benz CLK 8. Porsche 911 9. Mercedes Benz SLK 9. Volkswagen Golf 10. Audi Q7 10. Mercedes Benz ML, Subaru Impreza, BMW M5 CLASSIC CARS EASY PREY FOR THIEVES TRACKER & Chameleon Offers Security Advice to Classic Car Owners Classic cars will always have an appeal for those willing to forego today’s modern extras like power-steering and air conditioning for the thrill of owning and driving a timeless machine. However, TRACKER, the UK’s leading stolen vehicle recovery company, is warning that it is not just creature comforts these valuable cars are missing, but important modern security features which make them an easy target for thieves. The dangers of unprotected classic cars being stolen by thieves go above and beyond financial loss for some owners. With the popular trend for enthusiasts to buy and renovate models themselves, classic cars often have more than just a simple monetary value. If one is stolen, the owners also lose all the time and effort they have put into restoring their vehicle, typically to individual specifications – at a cost that is hard to put a price on. Stuart Chapman, head of TRACKER’s Police Relationship Team, says, “Classic car owners are understandably cautious when it comes to installing alarm systems and immobilisers. Some devices can be unsightly, even on modern vehicles, so people feel they affect the look of the vehicle. Whilst that might be the case, the appeal of these vehicles for criminals makes it essential to protect them. A TRACKER unit doesn’t modify the vehicle in any way; in fact it is specifically hidden, but allows the police to track the vehicle if it is stolen.” Classic cars can actually be worth more in parts than as a whole. This means that not only do owners need to take extra cautions to protect vehicles, but also ensure a quick recovery in the unfortunate event of them being stolen. A TRACKER unit offers a vital level of protection by recovering the vehicle swiftly, usually within 24 hours, in the event it is stolen and will not impact the look or feel of a classic car. Many classic cars are not for everyday use, and therefore their owners will keep them in storage for much of the time, leaving thieves the perfect opportunity to steal them - sometimes without even using the key, as they can be easily broken in to and hotwired or towed away. A TRACKER unit comes equipped with a movement sensor, which can alert TRACKER of any unauthorised movement. Chapman adds, “As well as a TRACKER unit, simple precautions can be taken to protect a classic car. Parking in well-lit areas with a good visibility is a must, as are seemingly obvious tips such as never leaving the keys in the car and making sure all the doors are locked and windows closed. As with advice for modern vehicles, owners should never leave valuables on sight in a classic car. “Door locks on cars that are forty years old will be easy for a thief to tackle using different keys and tools. Owners could also look at the installation of a steering wheel/brake pedal lock to make it harder to steal the vehicle. Thieves are, at the end of the day opportunists, so taking precautions such as installing a car alarm, as well as a tracking device which includes an immobiliser, could reduce insurance premiums as well as protect a valuable investment. ARE PROFESSIONAL PLANT THIEVES CASING YOUR FARM? TRACKER Reveals Manchester and Kent as the UK’s Theft Hot Spots Analysis from the past five years of plant and machinery theft and recovery information by stolen vehicle recovery specialists, TRACKER, has revealed thieves are systematically targeting the South East and North West of England. With rural crime changing from a highly opportunist activity to organised crime, and rapidly on the rise, TRACKER warns that all businesses, particularly farmers, across the UK are at risk and is urging them to protect their assets. “The crime is relatively low risk and lucrative for thieves, with proceeds being linked to a range of serious and organised crime, including terrorism. But the problem can very easily be tackled by putting in place better security measures. Indeed, we believe this is key to reducing rural crime, as the majority of these thefts are attributed to a lack of adequate security,” says Stuart Chapman, a Police Liaison Officer from TRACKER. Kent in the South East and Manchester in the North West have consistently recorded the highest levels of plant theft according to TRACKER. However, these are not the only theft hot spots. Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, also counties within the South East, have recorded high levels of theft activity over the five years, along with Essex in East Anglia. Whilst London ranked third overall in the five year theft league table, year-on-year a small decrease in theft activity has been recorded for 2010 against 2009. The East Midlands meanwhile, has seen the most noticeable rise (6 per cent) in plant theft in 2010 against 2009, with Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire in particular seeing an increase in activity. TRACKER offers an unrivalled level of protection against the growing threat of plant theft, with its market leading stolen vehicle recovery system significantly increasing the chances of recovery. The system is Thatcham approved, offering added quality assurance and the possibility of an insurance discount. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the plant. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. Unlike other tracking systems, the device works no matter where the plant is hidden, even if taken abroad, offering owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen. With 95% of the £70 million worth of reported stolen ‘plant’ and agricultural machinery never recovered, TRACKER urges businesses/farmers to protect their assets with a covert tracking device. A staggering 68 per cent of all stolen plant TRACKER recovers is done so within 24 hours of its stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) device being activated – 10 per cent of which was recovered within just one hour. Chapman concludes, “The total income from farming in the UK is £4.07 billion, making the agricultural industry a vital part of the UK’s economy, especially for thousands of families who live in rural areas. Protecting assets and in turn profitability is something that can very much be tackled head on and installing a covert tracking device should be a farmer’s first line of defence.” Top Ten Counties of Notable Theft Activity (excluding London) 2006-2010 2010* 2009 Kent18% Kent19% Manchester24% Manchester14% Manchester18% Surrey13% Surrey13% Essex10% Essex10% Lancashire9% Cambridgeshire10% Norfolk10% Essex9% Buckinghamshire10% Kent8% Hampshire9% Berkshire8% Hampshire8% Hertfordshire8% Cheshire8% Berkshire6% Berkshire7% Northamptonshire6% Oxfordshire6% Staffordshire7% Lincolnshire6% Buckinghamshire5% Buckinghamshire6% Hertfordshire5% Lincolnshire5% Staffordshire5% Regions where Plant has been recorded as Stolen by TRACKER 2006-2010 2010* 2009 South East30% South East28% South East27% North West13% North West15% North West19% London9% East Midlands12% Yorkshire & Humberside9% West Midlands9% East Anglia12% East Anglia8% Yorkshire & Humberside9% West Midlands9% West Midlands8% East Midlands8% Yorkshire & Humberside8% London8% East Anglia8% London6% South West6% South West6% Scotland4% East Midlands6% Scotland3% Wales4% Scotland4% North East2% South West1% North East0% Wales2% North East1% Wales0% Car Theft at Home of Karren Brady Serves as a Reminder to All The husband of Vice Chairman of West Ham United FC and Apprentice star Karren Brady had his luxury Mercedes stolen after he left it running to clear ice from the windscreen. Paul Peschisolido's £30,000 car was sitting outside the West Midlands home he shares with Brady when two opportunist thieves stole the vehicle and smashed through the gates to their home. TRACKER, the UK leader in stolen vehicle tracking is warning motorists to be more vigilant and don’t leave their vehicles unattended whilst they heat them up or defrost the windows. “Car thieves are opportunists and leaving the keys in the car for just a moment can be fatal”, says Stuart Chapman, Police liaison officer for TRACKER. “This case proves no one is immune, even those who have gated driveways. This case also highlights you can loose a lot more than just the car, the victim also had his laptop taken that contained valuable information. “We advise car owners to keep security in mind at all times and never leave their keys in the car, with the engine running. An insurance company may not pay out on an incident like this, making it a very costly mistake.” CHAMELEON's Winter Security Advice: - Never leave the keys in the ignition, even if you are just stopping quickly - Never leave you car running unattended when de-icing - Always lock and secure your vehicle - Make sure you don’t leave belongings on show, lock them in the boot or take them with you - Fit a stereo with removable front panel and take it with you when you leave the car. Mark it with your vehicle registration - Never leave car documents or spare keys inside the car - Keep doors locked and windows up when driving - Park in busy or well-lit and attended car parks near CCTV cameras - If you have a garage, use it to park your car - Don’t leave the car unattended when waiting for it to defrost - At home, don’t keep keys in a place where they can be seen or accessed from outside TRACKER Locate is the ultimate defence against vehicle theft. As the most advanced tracking device now on the market, it incorporates GSM, GPS and VHF technology in one unit. The result is a robust stolen vehicle recovery solution that has three means of location and two means of communication. Working like an electronic homing device, a covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around your vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. The tracking device works even if the vehicle is hidden in a garage or taken abroad, as the system works in numerous other European countries, offering car owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen. STOLEN JCB WORTH £30,000 RECOVERED TRACKER signal helps police find stolen plant machinery 21st September 2010 - Over £1 million of UK agriculture and construction equipment is stolen each week, but only 5 per cent is recovered, according to Plant and National Agriculture Unit. So when a JCB worth £30,000 belonging to Attleys Roofing was stolen from a building site in Newbury, the owners were thankful it had a TRACKER fitted, helping police successfully recover the vehicle. Attleys Roofing is based in Banbury, and currently has 15 vehicles, including a mix of plant and vans fitted with TRACKER units. The JCB Telehandler was stolen within 24 hours of being delivered to a building site. Fortunately, the signal from the TRACKER unit led police to the stolen JCB, which was found in a container near the Thames, in Surbiton, London, just one week later. “I was very impressed with the level of service from TRACKER,” says Tina Attley, company secretary for Attleys Roofing. “We received calls every day to update us on the progress of the case. Without TRACKER that JCB may never have been found leaving the company having to replace £30,000 worth of equipment. We already have another JCB on order to add to the fleet and we will definitely be getting it fitted with a TRACKER.” “In this case, the stolen JCB had Attleys Roofing logos all over it, but the thieves had scratched these off, proving that branding won’t be a deterrent to a determined criminal,” comments Stuart Chapman TRACKER’s police relationships manager. “Once again TRACKER has proved invaluable in helping police locate stolen machinery and return it to the owners. “Attleys could have lost an expensive piece of kit for good, which proves how important it is that plant owners protect their assets.” TRACKER Plant brings fleet telematics together with our award winning stolen vehicle recovery solutions, for the ultimate security system. Designed specifically for the plant market, TRACKER Plant allows plant machinery owners to monitor and review usage on and off-site, plan servicing efficiently and benefit from the ultimate security system. TRACKER Leads Police To Stolen Plant Vehicles Worth £300,000 Hoard of plant machinery recovered and three arrests made Thieves were thwarted when Police in Chorley, Staffordshire recovered £300,000 worth of plant machinery, thanks to TRACKER, the UK’s number one stolen vehicle recovery company. Police on the trail of a stolen vehicle, used its fitted TRACKER device to follow the signal to a remote farm, which led to the discovery of a haul of machinery and resulted in the arrest of three people. Inspector Dave Challinor, commander of Burntwood neighbourhood policing unit said, “It was a good partnership, working with TRACKER and the police. This is a really good recovery of property believed to be stolen from all over the UK.” Large items of plant were found on the farm, including JCB diggers, Caterpillar vehicles, road rollers and forklift trucks, as well as an assortment of smaller items such as generators. “TRACKER is the only stolen vehicle recovery provider working with all 52 police forces in the UK and once again this partnership has proved a thorn in the criminal’s side,” explains Stuart Chapman, Police Relationship Manager for TRACKER. “The power of our unique vehicle recovery system helped police uncover a plant theft operation and a collection of vehicles worth over £300,000. By working together with police, we are sending a clear message to thieves, as well as helping to return stolen vehicles to their rightful owners. “Security is a high priority for the plant sector, as thieves target sites for expensive pieces of machinery, as this case shows. With this in mind, we are bringing plant owners a powerful security system with the launch of TRACKER Plant. Designed specifically for the plant sector, this new product will help protect valuable assets and close the net on criminals.” TRACKER Plant has been created to offer an unrivalled level of protection against the growing threat of plant theft. Based on TRACKER’s market leading stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) system, TRACKER Plant significantly increases the chances of recovery. It is Thatcham approved, offering added quality assurance and the possibility of an insurance discount. Furthermore, TRACKER has combined the power of its SVR technology with its fleet tracking capabilities to ensure that TRACKER Plant enables owners and hirers of plant machinery to also monitor its actual usage on and off-site. This helps to boost efficiency whilst benefiting from the ultimate security system in the event of theft. LONG LOST RECOVERY TRUCK FOUND TRACKER plays key role in nation crack down on car crime TRACKER, the UK leader in stolen vehicle recovery, is working with ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) and a number of insurers as part of a national initiative called Operation SEMITA to recover stolen vehicles that have had theft claims settled against them. As a result of this powerful partnership, a stolen LDV Convoy 400 truck was recovered, after being missing for several weeks. Once the TRACKER device was activated, the lost truck was located in Sidcup, despite having false registration plates. The recovery truck was stolen from Streatham London and thieves had tried to cover their tracks by using false registration plates relating to another vehicle from Yorkshire, helping them to evade detection by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) used by the police. Detective Sergeant Mark Tidy of AVCIS explains, “This vehicle had eluded normal policing methods. It is very hard to imagine that the vehicle would have been found without the help of TRACKER. This is a clear example of how police and partners from the private sector can work together, leading to the detection of crimes, the arrest of criminals and, importantly, the return of possessions to their rightful owners.” TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. Unlike other tracking systems, the device works even if the vehicle is hidden in a garage or shipping container, offering car owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen. “Sometimes TRACKER devices have been fitted by previous owners, so the current owner is unaware that the technology is on the vehicle and it doesn’t get activated at the time of theft,” says Stuart Chapman, TRACKER’s Police Relationships Manager. “We work in partnership with the police and many major insurers to look where we can use this dormant technology. A TRACKER is never removed from the vehicle, so it can continue to help detect crime and stop criminals in their tracks.” Stephen Doran, Managing Director of TRACKER concludes, “As the UK’s leading provider of stolen vehicle recovery systems, we are committed to our social responsibility to assist the police. This case is an example of where we have continued to work with the police and the insurers in the battle against crime, even after our initial commercial relationship with the customer has ended.” ALL IN A SUNRISE Stolen Caravan Tracked Within 3 Hours and Serial Thief Captured At 3am on 23 March 2010, a TRACKER customer from Redditch, Worcestershire was woken from his sleep by a text alert from the TRACKER control room. The UK leader in stolen caravan tracking, TRACKER, was warning him that his caravan, which should have been in storage 5 miles away was being moved. Having raced to where the caravan was meant to be, the customer discovered his pride and joy had indeed gone. He immediately notified the local police and TRACKER and the tracking device fitted to his caravan was activated. Unknown to the thief, the caravan was transmitting a silent signal which was soon picked up by patrolling officers from West Mercia's Central Motorway Patrol Group as he headed south on the M5 motorway. Having travelled some distance from where he stole the caravan, he was happily thinking about 'his new investment' until he saw the blue lights of the police cars behind him. His joy turned to sorrow when it was established that not only was he in possession of the stolen caravan, his towing vehicle was also stolen and on false plates. He even had two warrants for his arrest outstanding. Meanwhile, tears of sadness turned to joy for TRACKER’s customer, whose caravan had been recovered within 3 hours of it going missing. Adrian Davenport, Police Liaison Manager from TRACKER said, “Once again this shows how vulnerable caravans are to theft whilst in storage. If the owner hadn't made the wise investment of fitting a TRACKER caravan recovery product, the theft of this caravan most probably would not have been discovered for several weeks. As to the male who had stolen the caravan, suddenly all thoughts of a holiday in 'his' new caravan turned to thoughts of his possible 'holiday' in Her Majesty’s Prison.” TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. Unlike other tracking systems, the device works even if the vehicle is hidden in a garage or shipping container, offering car owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen. TRACKER Foils Vehicle Thieves In Record Time Stolen Range Rover Sport recovered in Coventry just 14 minutes after the theft was reported to police Many would hope that the leafy suburbs of the UK would be a safe place to park your car on a sunny afternoon. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Less than a week ago, a Range Rover Sport was stolen in the suburbs of Coventry. Crafty thieves stole the vehicle just after 3pm, in broad daylight. The unauthorised movement of the car set off the motion sensor of the tracking unit, TRACKER then contacted the customer to check if the car had been stolen, the Police were informed and the unit was activated at 3.31pm. Fourteen minutes later the Range Rover Sport was found and recovered by police just around the corner to where the car was originally stolen. Stuart Chapman, Police Relationship Manager for TRACKER says, "Thieves will steal prestige vehicles to order and park them up for a period to see if they have a tracking device. If the vehicle is still there a day or so later then they know they have got away with the theft and the car will normally disappear overseas. Without our unique partnership with the police this car wouldn't have been found in record time.” The TRACKER Horizon unit, which has sophisticated motion detection, alerts TRACKER of an illegal movement of the car and the customer is contacted to confirm whether the vehicle has been stolen. TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. Unlike other tracking systems, the device works even if the vehicle is hidden in a garage or shipping container, offering car owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen TRACKER Signs Exclusive 5 Year Deal With UK Police Force Building on a successful sixteen year partnership Building on its unique relationship with police across the UK, TRACKER, the leading stolen vehicle recovery operator, has signed an exclusive five year extension on its partnership with the UK Police Force. This renewed agreement confirms TRACKER’s position as the only stolen vehicle recovery operator to have its system operated by all 52 UK Police forces, with TRACKER detection units fitted in police patrol vehicles and helicopters. By using TRACKER, police increase the number of successful recoveries. The unit leads police to stolen vehicles without having to rely on relayed messages from call centres, which can result in delays and the loss of a vehicle. Using Very High Frequency (VHF) and GPS technology, TRACKER’s unique Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) system enables the police to pin-point a stolen vehicle, even if it is hidden in a container or lock-up. Deputy Chief Constable David Ainsworth, the ACPO lead on Vehicle Crime says, “This agreement extends the important long-standing partnership with TRACKER for a further five years. Our work with TRACKER has delivered real results for my colleagues across the country, helping them recover stolen vehicles and importantly, arrest criminals. This partnership is part of our ongoing commitment to clamping down on car thieves and raising public confidence in our ability to recover their possessions and bring the offenders to justice.” Temporary Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, South Area Road Policing Unit, Durham Constabulary, adds, “We are delighted to continue working with TRACKER, which forms a key part of successful recoveries for Durham’s Road Policing Unit. The system has become a key part of our covert operations because it leads us straight to stolen vehicles, delivering real results for victims of theft.” Since 1993, TRACKER has recovered more than 19,000 stolen vehicles, worth a staggering £420 million. Each month TRACKER helps to recover an average £2 million worth of stolen vehicles and it has led police to the arrest of over 1,900 car thieves. TRACKER has a dedicated police liaison team, which includes former police officers who work with all of the UK’s police forces. Stuart Chapman of TRACKER comments, “This is a fantastic result for TRACKER and further illustrates the value of the support we offer UK Police forces now and for the last sixteen years. We will continue working together to close the net on car thieves, using TRACKER technology to help police recover stolen vehicles and make successful arrests.” Ground breaking combination of technologies puts owners and hirers in control of their plant equipment The launch of TRACKER Plant sees the arrival of a ground breaking system that brings TRACKER’s fleet tracking capabilities together with its award winning stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) solutions, designed to meet the specific requirements of the Plant market. Now owners and hirers of plant machinery can monitor its actual usage on and off-site, helping to increase efficiency whilst benefiting from the ultimate security system in the event of theft. The National Plant & Equipment Register (TER) reports* that 95% of plant equipment that is stolen every year, year on year, is not recovered and says “Plant is seldom fitted with appropriate tracking devices – the right tracking device is an excellent way to make recoveries and generate actionable intelligence for the police.” The combination of the latest technology from TRACKER continues to offer plant owners a critical defence against plant theft, but brings owners a new level of control, so that they can get the best out of their plant fleet. Stephen Doran, Managing Director, TRACKER, explains, “Speaking to our plant customers it became increasingly apparent their needs had changed. Whilst a stolen vehicle recovery system was essential, they also needed a solution to help them better manage their plant fleets. We have combined the power of TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery technology with our fleet tracking capabilities to deliver to the plant sector a comprehensive answer in one neat package.” Fleet Tracking TRACKER Plant is based on a combination of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM), but with the added benefit of TRACKER’s successful and proven Very High Frequency (VHF) radio technology. Fundamentally, this is brought together in a robust and waterproof unit, proven to withstand the harshest plant usage. The system reports real time information about the usage of plant, such as engine running hours and allows owners to set a location radius within which the plant can move freely, alerting them if it is moved outside of this location, otherwise known as Geofencing. It will even inform owners when servicing of equipment is due. TRACKER Plant summary reports are emailed weekly containing clear and concise plant data, both on an individual plant item or as a group, for easy monitoring. Vehicle Security TRACKER Plant also fundamentally includes TRACKER’s market leading stolen vehicle recovery system, offering an unrivalled level of protection against theft, as well as significantly increasing the chances of recovery. The system is Thatcham approved, offering added quality assurance and the possibility of an insurance discount. Stephen Doran concludes, “The launch of TRACKER Plant encompasses the key issues surrounding the use of plant equipment and its security. We are bringing plant owners a powerful new way to monitor the status of a machine and its usage, which in turn brings significant cost efficiencies, as well as give peace of mind with our stolen vehicle recovery system. Designed specifically for the plant sector, this new product will help protect valuable assets, close the net on criminals and ensure businesses get the best out of their fleet.” New Study Reveals That Global Satellite System Could Fail In 2010 TRACKER & Chameleon believes it is ready for any eventuality News that the Global Satellite System (GPS), overseen by the US Air Force, could fail by 2010 is worrying news and whilst TRACKER believes it is highly unlikely that it will happen, it is ready should the system fail. Bill Raynal, Managing Director of TRACKER, comments, “Keeping one step ahead is key to the ongoing success as the leader in the stolen vehicle recovery market. TRACKER Stolen vehicle Recovery solutions don’t rely on GPS alone, unlike many other systems available on the market. Instead, we use a unique Very High Frequency (VHF) technology, offering motorists effective safeguards against theft, even if the GPS does fail.” “At TRACKER we will be launching a ground breaking, innovative system, combining the benefits of a truly integrated VHF/GPS/GSM solution. The new system will have three means of location as well as two means of communication in order to dramatically increase the chances of recovering stolen vehicles – even when professional criminals attempt to overcome our systems by employing jamming techniques.” “The potential failure of GPS satellite navigation system as early as next year as well as the proven susceptibility of GPS based systems to commonly available jamming devices underlines the potential weakness of any systems that rely on GPS and highlights the limitations of TRACKER’s competitors in stolen Vehicle Recovery. We are constantly developing new and exciting products based on a range of positioning technologies, making sure TRACKER stays ahead what ever the future holds." *Study by U.S. government accountability office (GAO). For more facts about GPS/GSMJamming Notes to Editors TRACKER is the UK market leader in stolen vehicle recovery with nearly one million systems installed Using VHF technology, TRACKER’s SVR system enables the police to pin-point a stolen vehicle, whether it is hidden in a container or lock-up. The underlying VHF technology is in use in 30 countries throughout the world and to date is responsible for over 250,000 recoveries of stolen vehicles worth $5billion (USD) TRACKER’s recovery statistics speak for themselves. To date TRACKER has recovered more than 18,000 stolen vehicles - worth a staggering £400 million - since 1993. Each month TRACKER helps to recover an average £2million worth of stolen vehicles. It has also led the police to arrest over 1,800 car thieves.