03/2006

Northamptonshire's arson task force will now use a state-of-the-art computer database to help organise and speed up the removal of abandoned vehicles from Northamptonshire's roads.

The task force - a partnership between Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and the police which aims to combat a rise in arson in the county - is using ELVIS-VR (Easy Link Vehicle Information System for Vehicle Recovery) to provide a central database for information about abandoned vehicles, which are often a target for arsonists.

Fire service representative on the arson task force Sub Officer Mick Rodden said: "The arson task force is delighted to be associated with the software in providing a solution to enable the efficient running of our End of Life Vehicle Impound Scheme, also known as Elvis.

"When you consider the legal work involved in handling 5,000 to 9,000 vehicles per year you need a good tracking system, which ELVIS-VR provides."

The arson task force is the driving force behind Northamptonshire Elvis, a partnership between county police and the county and district councils. It aims to ensure abandoned vehicles are removed within 48 hours.

During the past 12 months 4,878 vehicles have been reported to Elvis, 1,986 have been recovered from county roads and 1,259 have been crushed.

The ELVIS-VR software system, which has been installed at police headquarters in Northampton, records all data about a vehicle's removal and disposal and automates many tasks, such as informing removal contractors.

The system reduces paperwork, eliminates duplication of effort when reporting and recording vehicle information and helps to ensure that abandoned vehicles are removed before vandals get to them.

Police representative on the task force PC Mike Orwin said: "It is anticipated that the software will enhance a project which is already being viewed around the country as best practice."

(Story from the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, 24 March 2006)

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