Stolen vehicle examiners 511/2026

FOI Reference: 511/2026

Request:

I am sending this request under the Freedom of Information Act to ask for the following information.

If not all questions can be answered within the time limit, please answer these questions in order until the time limit is reached.

1. On 1 April in the following years, how many stolen vehicle examiners were employed by the force either as police officers or civilian staff?

i) 2016

ii) 2022

iii) 2023

iv) 2024

v) 2025

vi ) 2026

2. On 1 April in the following years, how many stolen vehicle examiners employed by your force either as police officer or civilian staff were recognised as “Qualified Stolen Vehicle Examiners” by the National Association of Stolen Vehicle Examiners (NASVE)?

i) 2022

ii) 2023

iii) 2024

iv) 2025

v) 2026

3. On 26 May 2026 (or the nearest available date for which data is available), what was the average caseload of a "qualified stolen vehicle examiner” (as outlined in question 2) in your force?

4. On 26 May 2026 (or the nearest available date for which data is available), how many ‘theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle’ cases remained open.

5. Please provide any current Standard Operating Procedure/policy/checklist/decision tree/other internal guidance document that governs:

i) investigation of the theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle

ii) how investigators must handle CCTV/video enquiries in those investigations, including what to do when CCTV is not available

iii) what material/information must be assembled before seeking a charging decision for the theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle

6. For cases relating to the theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle in the financial year 2025/26 in which an individual was charged, what was the average time, in days, between the reporting of the alleged crime and the individual(s) being charged

7. For cases relating to the theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle in the financial year 2025/26 in which the investigation was completed with no suspect identified, what was the average time, in days, between the reporting of the alleged crime and the investigation being closed?

Response 1, 2 & 3:

Dyfed-Powys Police does not have dedicated ‘Stolen Vehicle Examiners’ although this duty may form part of other police staff and officer roles within the Roads Policing or Forensic departments.

Response 4:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:

• As at 28/05/26 there were a total of 57 open investigations

Offences ‘048/01 Theft of a motor vehicle’ & ‘130/01 Unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle included (does not include ‘being carried knowing motor vehicle has been taken)

Response 5:

i) I can confirm that Dyfed Powys police does not have any Standard Operating Procedure/policy that specifically relates to the investigation of the theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle. Officers would be expected to follow general crime investigating principles contained in the Crime and Incident Recording and Investigation Guidance.

ii) Recover and record appropriately as a police exhibit review content to determine whether further lines of enquiry and pursue accordingly

iii) A file of evidence suitable for review and presentation at court by the CPS.

Response 6:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:

2025/2026 – 21 offences resulted in a charge. 80 days was the average time between the reported date and the outcome date.

Response 7:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:

2025/2026 – 123 offences resulted in an outcome 18 (Investigation complete no suspect identified). 76 days was the average time between the reported date and the outcome date.

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 20/07/2026)