Tracking technology fitted to a business van has played a key role in recovering £250,000 of assets from a business in Essex.
The £30,000 Ford Transit van, owned by a specialist concrete firm in Chelmsford, was stolen by thieves who used it to also make off with IT and plant equipment from the office.
But the van was fitted with a stolen vehicle recovery device from Tracker that, when activated, ensured the van was located within 24 hours by Essex police. This also led to the recovery of the equipment when the van’s journey was retraced.
Clive Wain, head of police liaison for Tracker, explained: “While there is security at the location, it is believed that the burglary was a highly calculated, most likely masterminded by an organised criminal gang. The van was recovered over 30 miles away parked in South Ockendon the day after the theft. The van was empty, but further enquiries revealed various locations which had been used as drop-off points. Search warrants were issued for the areas identified which resulted in uncovering the stashed IT and plant equipment.”
The managing director of the company commented: “As a specialist company providing sprayed concrete and surface preparation, we heavily rely on our plant equipment, as well as our IT equipment to ensure the company runs smoothly. Had the police not recovered the stolen assets, the knock-on effect would have been devasting and would have put the business in serious financial difficulty. We have since invested in additional Tracker units for our equipment and vehicles.”
Due to the evidence collected against the perpetrators, including the Tracker device, two people pleaded guilty of the offence and were handed sentences of four years and 2.5 years.
“The pandemic unfortunately fuelled an increase in crime, and the sheer audacity shown by these criminals demonstrates the lengths they will go to. What is extremely encouraging though is that thanks to a wise investment by the victim in Tracker’s technology and the evidence collected against the perpetrators by the police, two people are now serving prison sentences,” concluded Wain.
