A new computer system is being used to speed up the removal of abandoned vehicles from Northamptonshire's roads and improve public safety.

The Northamptonshire Arson Task Force - a partnership between Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and Northamptonshire 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 abandoned vehicle information.

The Arson Task Force is the driving force behind the Northamptonshire End of Life Vehicle Impound Scheme (also called ELVIS) which is a partnership between Northamptonshire Police, County Council and the county's district and borough councils to ensure that the reporting and removal of abandoned vehicles is carried out within 48 hours.

The ELVIS-VR software system enables organisations involved in this and other multi-agency car clearance schemes to keep track of vehicles that fall within their responsibility and share information instantly at the click of a button.

The 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. This reduces the need for paperwork, eliminates duplication of effort when reporting and recording vehicle information, and saves organisations time and money, helping to ensure that abandoned vehicles are removed before vandals get to them.

ELVIS-VR also provides instant access to best value performance indicators so that organisations can monitor their effectiveness in dealing with abandoned vehicles in real time.

Sub Officer Mick Rodden, Fire Service representative on the Arson Task Force added 'The ATF is delighted to be associated with WPC Software in providing a solution to enable the efficient running of our End of Life Impound Scheme, this will contributed toward its success and simplify many of the tasks for our administration personnel. When you consider the legal work involved in handling 5000-9000 vehicles per year you need a good tracking system which ELVIS - VR provides.'

PC Mike Orwin, Police Service representative on the Arson Task Force added 'It is anticipated that the software will enhance a project which is already being viewed around the country as best practice.'