BMW moves to bolster police efforts to fight vehicle crime

BMW is set to make a significant contribution to the fight against motor vehicle crime in South Africa by becoming the second major vehicle manufacturer in South Africa to fit microdots as standard to all its vehicles.

Business Against Crime South Africa applauds BMW in this decision and congratulates the company for taking this proactive step in the fight against vehicle theft and hijacking.

Commenting on the decision by BMW, Dr Graham Wright, Deputy CEO of Business Against Crime said: "In an era of continuous discontent about the crime situation in our country, and especially considering the ongoing high levels of vehicle hijackings in the country and the 4.4% increase reported by the SAPS over the past year, we are happy to note that BMW is leading by example. In our view, microdots should be standard on all vehicles as we have proof that this technology assists the law enforcement and make a positive impact on the reduction of vehicle crime."

Microdot technology has been identified as the most promising and cost effective means available of entrenching the identity of a motor vehicle and its parts. Consequently, it should be seen as an important addition in combating vehicle crime.

Through the use of microdots and the ease to use equipment, law enforcement officers are able to readily identify stolen and hijacked vehicles even if their conventional identification numbers, such as the Vehicle Identification Number and chassis number, have been removed or changed.

This tactic of changing the identifiers of motor vehicles is particularly prevalent in South African - effectively fueling the market for stolen or hijacked vehicles. "We firmly believe that the widespread use of microdots in all vehicles will impact positively and significantly on reducing the market for stolen and hijacked vehicles and parts," added Wright.

According to Wright, microdot technology can result in a 60% reduction in vehicle theft and hijacking "Criminals consider microdotted vehicles and components contaminated and thus less desirable for theft," said Wright.

The application of microdot technology on motor vehicles is an important component of the national strategy aimed at reducing vehicle theft and hijackings in the country and forms part of the Violent Organized Crime Work Group, which is a Step Change partnership project between government and business. The Violent Organized Crime Work Group focuses on reducing the incidence of Residential, Business and Vehicle Robberies, and includes key stakeholders in government and business.

Microdot technology refers to the application of thousands of small - typically 1 mm in diameter - polymeric or metallic discs containing the Vehicle Identification Number, or agreed PIN, is applied to the vehicle. The microdots are applied across the vehicle via hand-held, low pressure spray systems.

Once applied, the microdots are extremely difficult to remove and serve as a lasting unique addition to the original identifiers of the motor vehicle and its parts.

Confirmation of a vehicle's identity is done by extracting a sample of the material and observing it through a microscope. These microscopes have already been distributed to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

"This technology serves multiple purposes," said Wright. "In addition to assisting police in identifying vehicles and vehicle parts, thus enabling the prosecution of offenders, it also restricts the activities of illegal second-hand parts dealers".

To date the technology has been applied to almost 300 000 vehicles in South Africa.

Wright added that microdots can be fitted to existing motor vehicles, and stated that Business Against Crime South Africa encourages all responsible motor vehicle owners to microdot their vehicles.

"It will not only reduce the risk of theft but will also increase the probability of recovering and returning the vehicle to its lawful owner".

Wright also suggested that when buying a new vehicle, buyers and insurance companies should insist on having microdots fitted so that this technology will become a new standard towards combating vehicle crime.

Business Against Crime South Africa is hopeful that other motor manufacturers will follow BMW lead by adopting micro-dotting as part of their contribution to the national effort to reduce vehicle crime, and especially violent robberies this country.

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