Accepting the award is Acting Detective Inspector John Alt, Strike Force Worth. Also present representing Strike Force Worth is Det Sgt Dave Casserly and Det Sgt Scott Davis

Also recognise those agencies who assisted the NSW Police in Strike Force Worth:

• Australian Federal Police 
• NSW Roads & Traffic Authority  (Allan Beddall)
• NSW Crime Commission
• NSW Dept. of Fair Trading
• Australian Customs Service

Strike Force Worth  is an ongoing investigation into the theft, resale and exportation of stolen vehicles across Australia and internationally.  It’s highlights include:

highlights:

• Joint operation coordinated by NSW Police State Crime Command and involving support and co-operation of Australian Customs, Australian Federal Police, NSW Crime Commission, the NSW Road and Traffic Authority and the NSW Department of Fair Trading
• Apprehension of two major syndicates involved in the theft, resale and transportation of stolen vehicles throughout Australia and to the Middle East.
• In August 450 police officers were involved in simultaneous execution of 23 search warrants across Sydney, and at present 14 individuals have been arrested and charges. 
• At total of 60 stolen vehicles have been recovered along with a large number of vehicle engines and parts and other stolen property.
• The NSW Department of Fair Trading has suspended trading licences of seven businesses and the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority has identified a further 10 vehicles through examination of blue slip books
• Through liaison with the Australian Federal Police and their Middle East Officer, a major principle of one of the syndicates has been arrested in Lebanon and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment .
• Restraining orders have been placed on approximately $2 million in assets by the NSW Crime Commission and are now subject to assets confiscation proceedings.

In addressing the audience Major Kent Mawyer, from the Criminal Law Enforcement Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety and International President of IAATI said, “the annual Australasian Awards seek to recognise and reward outstanding achievement, innovation, or exception performance in the area of vehicle theft prevention and investigation within Australia and New Zealand.”

The 2003 Award for ‘Vehicle Theft Investigation of the Year’ was awarded to Strike Force Worth, an ongoing investigation into the theft, resale and exportation of stolen vehicles across Australia and internationally.   Accepting the award on behalf of the Strike Force Worth Team, Detective Acting Inspector Jon Alt of the NSW Police said “Strike Force Worth, involved 30 officers in a joint operation with the NSW Police State Crime Command, Australian Customs, the Australian Federal Police, the NSW Crime Commission, the NSW Road and Traffic Authority and the NSW Department of Fair Trading.”

Strike Force Worth has uncovered two syndicates which are allegedly involved in the theft and resale of stolen vehicles, the export of stolen vehicles to the Middle East, as well as a number of fraudulent insurance claims for staged motor vehicle collisions or inflated quotes for legitimate accidents.  

When presenting the award Ms Nola Watson, Head of Fraud & Security Risk, Insurance Australia Group, commented the benefits of this type of operation are greater than simply the recovery of the stolen vehicles and the apprehension of the alleged offenders, noting “Strike Force Worth has also resulted in the seizure of large amounts of offender’s property, rending it difficult for them to recommence their operations.  Furthermore, it has provided large amounts of intelligence relating to the methodologies and networks used by offenders, which is disseminated to relevant agencies.”

John Alt, NSW Police, receives the Investigation of the Year Award from Nola Watson, IAG

In this award category we have decided that in addition to the winner we will also award one certificate of merit.  

The certificate of merit is awarded to Det, Sgt. Dennis Connor, Drugs and Organised Crime Investigation Branch, SA Police Service.  Dennis has had the responsibility for the investigation of professional vehicle theft in South Australia for a number of years. The criteria for such investigations to be forwarded to the DOCIB is not only that the offences are carried out by organised criminal groups but they are of a complex nature requiring a professional team approach.  In particular Dennis was nominated for his efforts in leading the following investigations: Operation Vent, Operation Quantum, Operation Calais and Operation Castle.