WEST MIDLANDS POLICE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COBRA

 05/2006

 "Capture Cars" are the latest weapon being deployed by West Midlands Police to fight vehicle crime and deter would-be thieves. Capture Cars are vehicles located within a crime hotspot area which are fitted with a specifically prepared Cobra Telematics Platform.

The vehicles look exactly the same as any other car, but they are secretly watched by the police away from the scene and can be activated and deactivated at any time, enabling the police to capture offenders without any risk to the safety of members of the public.

 Prior to launching the Capture Car campaign, the system was tested for some months and there were successful arrests and prosecutions. The offenders were completely unaware that the only reason they had been caught was because they had chosen to steal a capture car.

 People are also being encouraged to participate in the initiative by placing stickers on their cars which identify them as Capture Cars. Even if this is not the case, would-be thieves will not know, and this will make cars less attractive to steal or steal from.