Overview 

Organised vehicle theft in the UK has morphed from an opportunistic crime into a high-tech, cross-border enterprise. Over the past decade, rising domestic and international demand has seen theft rates surge by 75%, harming manufacturers, insurers, motorists and public faith in policing. There is evidence of involvement by perpetrators in a range of other forms of serious and organised crime. Today’s multidimensional vehicle crime challenge demands an equally multilayered response. However, critical gaps across the national response continue to impede progress, and novel responses required across policing, government and industry.

This conference builds on RUSI’s landmark research into organised vehicle theft, bringing together a diverse array of to decisionmakers to consider key aspects of the threat and response. Building on recommendations from previous research, the conference seeks to identify tangible options to strengthen cross-sector cooperation and build coherence in response to a complex, cross-border criminal economy. It also seeks to place the UK response in wider context, boosting the sharing of experiences between international partners across the supply chain.  

Drawing together experts across sectors and jurisdictions, the specific objectives of the conference are fourfold:  

  • To present the latest evidence and raise the profile of vehicle theft as a complex transnational threat, framing the problem in its international context.
  • To galvanise a more coherent public–private response, strengthening cooperation across governments, law enforcement and industry, including priority actions to support preventive approaches.
  • To enable the sharing of information on key aspects of the UK approach to organised vehicle theft, as well as specific approaches taken by international partners.
  • To identify opportunities for strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as lessons and best practice from other jurisdictions to strengthen domestic responses.  

The conference will bring together law enforcement officers, policymakers, industry experts, academics, researchers and analysts to take stock of the evolving threat and the progress made to date in addressing this. Speakers and audience will discuss how the issue is addressed within the wider policing architecture, and how the response must evolve to meet the changing nature of the threat.  

A constructive challenge to existing assumptions and approaches is welcomed, drawing on the capabilities not only of law enforcement and the wider system, but also of industry experts and researchers working on these issues across the UK and internationally. The conference will provide a unique forum for these conversations across a diverse set of stakeholders, ensuring honest and open exchange.  

This event forms part of RUSI’s broader programme of work on organised acquisitive crime, which offers expert research and advice to enhance public and private sector efforts to disrupt broader forms of high-harm, cross-border acquisitive crime, from mobile phone theft, metal and infrastructure crime, retail crime and robbery. Throughout this effort, RUSI considers organised acquisitive crime within a wider threat landscape, which involve the assessment of links to cyber threats (such as those targeting major vehicle manufacturers), money laundering on the high street, and the impact on governmental economic growth agendas and wider economic and societal resilience.