A new partnership between HPI, the used vehicle information experts, and WPC Software, the software providers for the police ELVIS (Easy Link Vehicle Information Suite) Vehicle Recovery system, spells less paperwork for officers and is helping to ensure those with an interest in the vehicle are informed straight away.

Police signing up to ELVIS will benefit from automatic HPI CrushWatch checks, removing the need for the additional administration usually associated with Section 165 vehicles. HPI CrushWatch has been designed to protect the interests of finance companies, helping to reduce their risks while allowing police to return the vehicle to the lender, rather than dispose of it or returning it to a persistent evader.

ELVIS Vehicle Recovery is a software development from WPC designed to provide organisations involved in the removal of abandoned or seized vehicles the tools they require to provide a quick and efficient service. The system is designed to track vehicles through all stages while being dealt with by a police force and provide a central resource of these vehicles, enabling instant data sharing between organisations involved. Police forces using ELVIS are also given access to vehicle information around the clock, enabling them to take any action required on a vehicle instantly.

"Previously, the standard HPI Check, which would uncover any potential problems with a vehicle, such as a mileage discrepancy or outstanding finance, was provided by WPC to ELVIS users. Now through this new partnership, CrushWatch checks have been integrated into the system, providing a comprehensive package," says Alan Bishop, Industry Relations Director of HPI. "ELVIS will now automatically carry out a CrushWatch check on Section 165 vehicles, sending an automatic email to the finance house if it hits the finance register."

Several police forces across the country are already experiencing the advantages of CrushWatch on ELVIS. Since the beginning of the year, the new software has been rolled out to forces in Hertfordshire, West Yorkshire, Essex and Northumbria - with many more to come.

Mark Hooper of AVCIS, adds, "It is encouraging to see to market leading brands HPI and WPC work together to help police and the finance market fight back against uninsured vehicles.

"We welcome any new initiatives that help in the battle against this rising issue and the combination of ELVIS and HPI CrushWatch, offers police a powerful new tool, while relieving the amount of paperwork involved. With the launch of this new partnership, we should see a rise in the number of vehicles being recovered and returned to finance houses."