Devon and Cornwall Constabulary have joined Merseyside Police to become the second force in the UK to use ELVIS, the Easy Link Vehicle Information System to help them effectively investigate car and associated crime. Designed by WPC Software in Bristol, ELVIS records vital information relating to vehicles and related crimes as well as having an interface to the PNC and Equifax's HPI database as optional extras.

WPC's systems are designed to make departmental information more accessible to the force, giving officers and administration staff the tools to do their job properly. ELVIS has been in place at Merseyside Police for over two years and has proved to be very successful. The system has seen vehicle crime reduced by as much as 70% within certain areas of Liverpool.

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary are to use it to help with the increasing problem of abandoned vehicles. WPC have been adding extra functionality to the system to accommodate the force's working practises. Features include abandoned vehicle reports, DVLA CLE2/8 reports, which are for taxation and keeper offences and other functions such as the ability to record registered Motor Salvage Operators details necessary to enforce recently introduced legislation.

Detective Constable Bob Bunney, the Force Vehicle Crime Reduction and Investigation Support Officer for Devon and Cornwall Constabulary said "I am now able to enhance the ability of our Force to combat vehicle related crime. A huge benefit will be the opportunity to assist in reducing the volume of vehicle keeper anonymity currently afforded to a high percentage of vehicle keepers/users. ELVIS will be a key feature in achieving accurate and expeditious responses for investigators."

WPC Software intends to carry on in their mission to prove that computers are vital in the fight against crime.