Following the success of supporting Police forces across the country in recovering stolen vehicles, NWVA recently launched their dedicated Stolen Vehicle Recovery division – designed to alleviate pressure on the Police whilst expediting the speedy and safe return of stolen vehicles.
Joining the team in heading up ‘SVR’, is Phil Pentelow, who has 18 years’ experience working for Essex Police, the last five spent on the Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit (SVIU). This work included stolen vehicle examination, tracking and recovery.
Phil and Essex Police’s SVIU – one of the most successful vehicle crime units in the UK – worked very closely with LJ Transportation (part of the NWVA Group) in recent years in a bid to tackle the issue, managing to recover or identify over £40million worth of assets in the last 2 years alone.
Phil said, “I have enjoyed some great success in recovering millions of pounds worth of assets for Essex Police with the support of NWVA, so the opportunity to join the group with a view of continuing this work on a greater scale was a challenge I could not say no to!”
Vehicle theft is a UK-wide issue with around 60% of stolen vehicles remaining unrecovered – the vehicles that are often being subject to damage, found in the process of being dismantled or having their identity changed – all affecting the value of the asset. With over 110,000 vehicles stolen nationally in 2024 alone, there is a clear need for new and innovative approaches to tackle the problem.
Utilising NWVA’s extensive resources and 24hr network, SVR will offer a number of services to secure and recover assets in a timely manner – reducing the likelihood of the vehicle being used in further criminality, suffering damage, being dismantled or subject to identity change.
This will have a positive impact by placing less demand on the Police service, help reduce overall loss to insurers as well as importantly heightening the chances of victims of theft’s personal property still being within the vehicle – all whilst reducing wider risk on the roads.
Phil said, “The combination of resources available from NWVA both nationally and overseas, paired with the Policing experience and track record in this field within the leadership team means that SVR is uniquely placed to offer an exciting new response to vehicle theft.”
