Long Shot - my cousin’s boy’s van has been stolen

[Grianan]

My cousin’s boy is the same age as my son. One’s a surfing instructor the other’s a sailing instructor - don’t know whether it’s the parallels but I’ve always had a soft spot for Jacob …

Anyway, last night Jacob was driving home to Alnwick from Cornwall and stopped at the services at Warwick - came out to find the van that he had converted at Christmas gone - that’s his home, his clothes, his surf boards, his wetsuits, his passport etc.

Police picked it up in Birmingham on anpr but have closed the case unless it’s sighted.

I know it’s the longest of long shots but I’m attaching some photos just in case …

 

[suavecarve]

Sorry to hear about this.
have the old bill told you which ANPR camera it hit and whether there were any more ?
If so, it may be possible to target a search area rather than Birmingham as a whole.
Common practice to steal the van and leave it on an industrial site for a couple or 3 days.
See which way they went, then see the next camera that they didnt hit, then target search around there.

Presuming nothing inside can be located using a google app

Best of luck

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There may be more up to date ANPR maps

 

[Maudy]

Thieving bustards are everywhere and sadly Ford vans especially Transits are easy pickings for them .
It’s a case of wiring it up to the mains or get a bigass dog with bigass teeth and an even bigger attitude whenever you leave the van !

 

[Nanniemate]

Sadly it looks like a builders van without windows or markings, so it may have targeted for that reason
So bloody annoying that some people think.they don't need to work for anything but steel it

 

[MisterB]

I'm not one to usually make negative comments re policing as I still believe the majority of police officers do the best they can with what they have, BUT to close a case of theft in such a short space of time seems to be inappropriate.

I mentioned in a previous posting re thefts of motorhomes becoming more common that in essence insurance companies don't care because they just increase premiums to cover losses, govt don't care because the higher the cost of premiums the greater their income, vehicle manufacturers don't care because it increases sales due to replacement vehicles (within the market as a whole). The govt could do more by increasing sentencing to those caught carrying out vehicle theft. I would hate to think the police should be added to this list.

Sadly the van prob had the number plates changed and continued its journey undetected and because of the reasons above BUT the case should not have been closed in such a short timescale, even if for no other reason than inspiring confidence in our police services. The criminals will be aware that cases get closed so quickly/easily, which makes vehicle theft an easy option.

I would also add, however unpalatable it might seem, that the owners of vehicles also need to consider how they can protect their vehicles and add as many lines of defence/hindrance to would be thieves. Notwithstanding the fact though that if thieved want to take a specific vehicle then they are often able to do so, but if there's an easier option for opportunist theft then they are more likely to target that.

I hope his van is recovered fully intact ....

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[suavecarve]

I'm not one to usually make negative comments re policing as I still believe the majority of police officers do the best they can with what they have, BUT to close a case of theft in such a short space of time seems to be inappropriate.

I mentioned in a previous posting re thefts of motorhomes becoming more common that in essence insurance companies don't care because they just increase premiums to cover losses, govt don't care because the higher the cost of premiums the greater their income, vehicle manufacturers don't care because it increases sales due to replacement vehicles (within the market as a whole). The govt could do more by increasing sentencing to those caught carrying out vehicle theft. I would hate to think the police should be added to this list.

Sadly the van prob had the number plates changed and continued its journey undetected and because of the reasons above BUT the case should not have been closed in such a short timescale, even if for no other reason than inspiring confidence in our police services. The criminals will be aware that cases get closed so quickly/easily, which makes vehicle theft an easy option.

I would also add, however unpalatable it might seem, that the owners of vehicles also need to consider how they can protect their vehicles and add as many lines of defence/hindrance to would be thieves. Notwithstanding the fact though that if thieved want to take a specific vehicle then they are often able to do so, but if there's an easier option for opportunist theft then they are more likely to target that.

I hope his van is recovered fully intact ....

Its a bit of a technicality.
The case is filed pending further information coming to light, not closed.
In essence this means that there is no designated Officer actively looking for the vehicle or sitting on his or her workload.
If it were sitting on their workload, something else wouldnt be.
Even as a response Officer picking up jobs each shift, they might be carrying 20 on their workloads, things that need statements being taken from or Court files being done.
From the information given, I can see no realistic opportunity for an Officer to do enquiries upon apart from a bit of a blanket search with only a little direction.
It is not that they are being lazy (IMV) but pragmatic about where their resources lie.
In the meantime the vehicle will be on ANPR and their vehicles (or soe of them) have ANPR and the traffic cars will probably do a search of known areas and have a hit list of recently stolen vehicles to work from.
Hope that enlightens

 

[MisterB]

Its a bit of a technicality.
The case is filed pending further information coming to light, not closed.
In essence this means that there is no designated Officer actively looking for the vehicle or sitting on his or her workload.
If it were sitting on their workload, something else wouldnt be.
Even as a response Officer picking up jobs each shift, they might be carrying 20 on their workloads, things that need statements being taken from or Court files being done.
From the information given, I can see no realistic opportunity for an Officer to do enquiries upon apart from a bit of a blanket search with only a little direction.
It is not that they are being lazy (IMV) but pragmatic about where their resources lie.
In the meantime the vehicle will be on ANPR and their vehicles (or soe of them) have ANPR and the traffic cars will probably do a search of known areas and have a hit list of recently stolen vehicles to work from.
Hope that enlightens

That certainly does enlighten me ... I was reacting (in part) to the statement that the OP had said the case was closed, but your explanation puts a logical explanation of what the process is and why, which makes perfect sense. As I said, I believe the vast majority of police officers are doing their best with what they have. Case closed !

 

[chaser]

Afraid it will be in a thousand pieces by now.

 

[Puddleduck]

I am so upset this has happened. If I said what I was thinking about the bottom feeders who do this I would not have a life membership but have a life ban on this site.

Having had a vehicle stolen and found burnt out I know how hollow it makes you feel. Even worse when it is your living.

I have never bought a new or expensive vehicle since mine was stolen except for the motorhome.

 

[Woody466]

My cousin’s boy is the same age as my son. One’s a surfing instructor the other’s a sailing instructor - don’t know whether it’s the parallels but I’ve always had a soft spot for Jacob …

Anyway, last night Jacob was driving home to Alnwick from Cornwall and stopped at the services at Warwick - came out to find the van that he had converted at Christmas gone - that’s his home, his clothes, his surf boards, his wetsuits, his passport etc.

Police picked it up in Birmingham on anpr but have closed the case unless it’s sighted.

I know it’s the longest of long shots but I’m attaching some photos just in case …


View attachment 723164View attachment 723165View attachment 723166
View attachment 723167

If it hasn't already been done, speak to the staff at the petrol station, find out if they had active CCTV.
The footage is generally kept for 28 days, they might be happy to provide a copy which can then be viewed and might identify a vehicle used by the offender's.
Sorry to say that the police will not even consider this as it is time consuming.
If they have the product and you need something other than a home computer to view it, I may be able to point you in the right direction
Worth a shot and even if you have to employ the services of a private investigator, it might just get the van back, be quick and good luck.

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[Jolak]

Having had a working knowledge of crime in Birmingham and surrounding areas, the "babs" on certain estates, know how to steal a car not long after they've been weaned onto a staple diet of Gregg's sausage rolls. I don't know how it is now, but there was a time, if you were silly enough to buy a Subaru Impreza or BMW M3, you could expect early morning visitors with baseball bats in your bedroom, demanding the keys to your motor.

 

[Grianan]

Thanks folks … I’ve copied the suggestions and sent to my cousin … so sad these people don’t consider the consequences of their actions.

 

[garymumford]

My cousin’s boy is the same age as my son. One’s a surfing instructor the other’s a sailing instructor - don’t know whether it’s the parallels but I’ve always had a soft spot for Jacob …

Anyway, last night Jacob was driving home to Alnwick from Cornwall and stopped at the services at Warwick - came out to find the van that he had converted at Christmas gone - that’s his home, his clothes, his surf boards, his wetsuits, his passport etc.

Police picked it up in Birmingham on anpr but have closed the case unless it’s sighted.

I know it’s the longest of long shots but I’m attaching some photos just in case …


View attachment 723164View attachment 723165View attachment 723166
View attachment 723167

Very sorry to hear about the theft of the van.
Is there a solution?
A motorhome is worth so much more than a van in both financial terms and emotional.
How do you value the van for insurance purposes as the van might only be worth a quarter of the value of the conversion?

At first I thought about a stealth van with a workman’s hard hat and jacket left on the drivers seat and no windows to make it look like a normal white van. But my other half Helen convinced me that defeats the whole object of the van.
So now it looks like a camper van and there is no going back.
I probably will install a small safe for passports and money. I saw some good ones online which looked like a double electrical socket and coujd be bolted down.
Where is the best place for your spare van key whilst travelling? A magnetic key holder somewhere?

 

[Skipper43]

Its a bit of a technicality.
The case is filed pending further information coming to light, not closed.
In essence this means that there is no designated Officer actively looking for the vehicle or sitting on his or her workload.
If it were sitting on their workload, something else wouldnt be.
Even as a response Officer picking up jobs each shift, they might be carrying 20 on their workloads, things that need statements being taken from or Court files being done.
From the information given, I can see no realistic opportunity for an Officer to do enquiries upon apart from a bit of a blanket search with only a little direction.
It is not that they are being lazy (IMV) but pragmatic about where their resources lie.
In the meantime the vehicle will be on ANPR and their vehicles (or soe of them) have ANPR and the traffic cars will probably do a search of known areas and have a hit list of recently stolen vehicles to work from.
Hope that enlightens

So, would it be unrealistic to expect the CCTV from the service station to be checked? That might lead to images which could be circulated within the Police Service for ID. Most service areas have their own anpr system designed to check on overstayers. The bandits, most probably, have driven to the service area in another vehicle. It is likely they left in convoy, which may give a lead via registered owner of that other vehicle. I can think of several more opportunities for evidence which might assist so I suggest it was filed too quickly.

 

[suavecarve]

So, would it be unrealistic to expect the CCTV from the service station to be checked? That might lead to images which could be circulated within the Police Service for ID. Most service areas have their own anpr system designed to check on overstayers. The bandits, most probably, have driven to the service area in another vehicle. It is likely they left in convoy, which may give a lead via registered owner of that other vehicle. I can think of several more opportunities for evidence which might assist so I suggest it was filed too quickly.

No, that "should" be a fairly basic requirement, however, I suspect their local knowledge of the service station and what is generally an over expectation of the abilities of that CCTV to come into their thinking nowadays. Line of Duty has done Police no favours in expectation of CCTV. The camera (generally) only points in one direction and isnt zoomed in to see reg numbers or drivers. The likelihood of the owner of the car leaving their own registration number on their vehicle whilst they go and commit a car theft is minimal as well. They are likely to put more resources into a theft of number plate than theft of vehicle as this is likely to lead to further thefts. We used to get overtime galore when 2 4 x 4 vehicles were stolen overnight because that meant someone was about to nick a cash machine by driving into it and then pulling it away.

I have 5 car parks which take 2,500 cars as part of my now (non police) job. I could tell you from a description of where the car was parked and for how long it was parked there, what chance there was immediately, to the absolute annoyance of anyone who had suffered a prang in the car park looking for the person who made off. Everyone thinks I am not prepared to put in 8 10 or 12 hours worth of CCTV monitoring, we do, but we also know when it is a complete waste of our time straight away, and I prefer to tell people the bad news then, (and yet still look for 30 seconds to confirm)

Edit: Read about your ANPR question. In all likelihood this belongs to the company that want to charge you for overstaying. It is accessible by filling out a DPA form. Then someone (not likely to be the company) has to go through vehicles going in and vehicles going out and note that the stolen van went out on "X" registration number (it didnt in this case as it got hit further into Brimingham) but looking 10 cars in front and 10 behind would likely give you a "favourite" which is probably a stolen vehicle on false plates so you are back on square one. Because they deal with so many of these, that might take an average copper 3 hours, remembering they work in pairs, so that would nearly be the equivalent of one Officer on one shift to more or less get nothing for his or her work and meanwhile his or her 15 jobs on their workload has just increased to 18 during that period and they havent turned up for the burglary for which they will get slated in the media on a slow news day

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[Puddleduck]

garymumford

Keys, I have one set, he has the other.

House keys are stored in an unusual place in the van but we leave other house keys with a trusted friend.

Usually my keys are in my bag (small messenger type bag worn with bag forward not on my back). Otherwise I have a pouch that fits into my undergarments and will hold a keys wrapped in a note or two plus a plastic card. I use the pouch if we are cycling or if I don't want to use my bag. Bag always put away put of sight.

 

[Tombola]

The police don't waste any more time than the initial log and check...sad to say it but they don't have resources and dumpmit back to insurance.
Once the scroted realise it's not a normal " change the plates and use it" as a van they may dump.it...worse still they may rip everything out and use it as a van...or even worse burn it.

Insurance job I'm afraid ..I hope he was covered materially for as much as poss.

 

[Nigel P]

No, that "should" be a fairly basic requirement, however, I suspect their local knowledge of the service station and what is generally an over expectation of the abilities of that CCTV to come into their thinking nowadays. Line of Duty has done Police no favours in expectation of CCTV. The camera (generally) only points in one direction and isnt zoomed in to see reg numbers or drivers. The likelihood of the owner of the car leaving their own registration number on their vehicle whilst they go and commit a car theft is minimal as well. They are likely to put more resources into a theft of number plate than theft of vehicle as this is likely to lead to further thefts. We used to get overtime galore when 2 4 x 4 vehicles were stolen overnight because that meant someone was about to nick a cash machine by driving into it and then pulling it away.

I have 5 car parks which take 2,500 cars as part of my now (non police) job. I could tell you from a description of where the car was parked and for how long it was parked there, what chance there was immediately, to the absolute annoyance of anyone who had suffered a prang in the car park looking for the person who made off. Everyone thinks I am not prepared to put in 8 10 or 12 hours worth of CCTV monitoring, we do, but we also know when it is a complete waste of our time straight away, and I prefer to tell people the bad news then, (and yet still look for 30 seconds to confirm)

Too true. Sadly a very sophisticated system such as ANPR is not used to its real potential, often a force system is not routinely manned so little 'real time' monitoring from a strategic point. In a former life I was an ANPR operator and spent many hours, especially night time, tracking suspect or stolen vehicles from an office desk and able to direct resources in real time, providing direction of travel, descriptions of occupants etc. etc. Convoy analysis is brilliant but requires man hours which are no longer seen as a priority. The theft of valuable vehicles with reasonable opportunities for enquiries are often trumped by non-existent 'hate incidents' and Facebook spats between morons because they fall under the heading that is currently on the 'clear up' agenda. It is possible to find the crime reference but my guess it was never allocated to an officer to investigate as most forces screen out what they see as 'no hopers'. There is a tick list of routine enquiries attached to a crime report, once they are ticked and provide no further lines of enquiry it will be filed (but as mentioned that does not mean forgotten).

 

[suavecarve]

Too true. Sadly a very sophisticated system such as ANPR is not used to its real potential, often a force system is not routinely manned so little 'real time' monitoring from a strategic point. In a former life I was an ANPR operator and spent many hours, especially night time, tracking suspect or stolen vehicles from an office desk and able to direct resources in real time, providing direction of travel, descriptions of occupants etc. etc. Convoy analysis is brilliant but requires man hours which are no longer seen as a priority. The theft of valuable vehicles with reasonable opportunities for enquiries are often trumped by non-existent 'hate incidents' and Facebook spats between morons because they fall under the heading that is currently on the 'clear up' agenda. It is possible to find the crime reference but my guess it was never allocated to an officer to investigate as most forces screen out what they see as 'no hopers'. There is a tick list of routine enquiries attached to a crime report, once they are ticked and provide no further lines of enquiry it will be filed (but as mentioned that does not mean forgotten).

I had a couple of traffic units sat up at our place (I knew them) for exactly one of these jobs (which are very few and far between) one night. They were just there waiting for TPAC authorisation in advance of the expected vehicle. They were getting the updates on their phones. I just said to them that it was far easier to use one of our satellites to monitor them and if they had only asked, and offered to do it for them. They were going through in their minds all the RIPA complications as we were walking towards the area when one of them twigged I was taking the pee. They were so excited for a good 2 minutes !

 

[Nanniemate]

Loads of police presence in my area yesterday about 7.30pm they were after someone.

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[vkr15s]

Loads of police presence in my area yesterday about 7.30pm they were after someone.

Do you have a local Mc Donald’s or Starbucks

 

[Nanniemate]

Do you have a local Mc Donald’s or Starbucks

Nope and I'm pleased to say they are rarely needed here but our lane can be used as a cut through off the main roads