National Threat Assessment 2008. Organised Crime - Politie

tempting because the proceeds justify the effort and risk involved less and
less. In addition, organised car theft involves a complicated logistical process.
Furthermore, the security options have not yet been exhausted. We are on
the eve of nanotechnology, which will undoubtedly influence vehicle security.
‘Microdotting’ is a good example. Microdots are miniscule particles to which
information has been added. The microdots contain a unique number that is
visible under UV light and they are sprayed across the car. It is practically
impossible to remove them. Microdots have been tested in Australia, New
Zealand and South Africa, among other countries, and have proven to be
an important instrument in effectively tackling car theft. They could make
car theft even less tempting than it currently is.
4.5.7 Conclusion
Car theft in an organised form, carried out by criminal organisations, mainly
involves the theft of new and expensive cars. Due to security measures, the
number of these thefts has already been falling for some years, but the fall
has levelled off in recent years. The financial loss runs into tens of millions and
is mainly borne by insurance companies. For years people have been afraid that
there would be an increase in violence as a result of the growing number of
car thefts whereby the keys are obtained in a domestic burglary. There has
been little evidence to date to substantiate this fear.
After declining for years, the number of car thefts may fall even further in future
due to innovative security methods based on nano technology, e.g. microdotting.
Due to the expected further decline in the next four years, organised car theft
has been qualified as no specific threat to Dutch society.
4.6 Robberies and ram raids
4.6.1 Introduction and scope
This section focuses on (series of) robberies and ram raids 56 carried out
by criminal organisations that are active at the supraregional level in the
Netherlands. The results of the organised supraregional property crime
subproject will be used.
56
Although there are differences between these two types of offences, they are addressed
together in this section because of their many similarities.
chapter 4 – Supraregional property crime
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