More than 600 UK police officers have registered for the new RAPID asset search tool in its first week.
RAPID, the registered assets police information database, is a web search tool that speeds up plant and machinery identification, assisting police investigations.
RAPID allows officers to access police databases from their smartphones such as CESAR, the construction and agricultural equipment security and registration scheme, which holds 650,000 registered assets.
It also draws from the police national computer (PNC) and the IFNOL insurers database. Items are identified using the CESAR ID number, Datadot® number, etch or RFID, engine number, or VIN. Search results can be provided based on partial number inputs.
A library of more than 130 plant and machinery operation videos are also available on RAPID to help officers locate identification plates and labels.
Data is secured with encryption protocols and access is limited. Every search is recorded, including the asset details and geolocation as well as the name of the officer searching.
Fight against organised crime
National Police Chiefs Council lead for agri and construction machinery thefts, superintendent Andy Huddleston of NCATT (National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team), said: “By offering the power of the CESAR database to every police officer, it enables teams across the UK to operate with greater confidence, speed and precision when identifying and recovering stolen assets.
“This is a brilliant step by the industry with their scheme.”
Viki Bell, director of operations at the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), which owns the CESAR scheme, said: “RAPID makes the CESAR database even more accessible to law enforcement on the front line, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.”
Kevin Howells, chief executive of CESAR technology provider DATATAG ID, added: “We developed RAPID to allow every officer in the country to identify an asset – whether a digger, tractor, ATV, or motorcycle – quickly and easily.
“RAPID is built on the fundamental concept that any visible identification mark can be used, helping officers in the fight against organised crime.”
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