It is intended that the database will assist security officers that have difficulty in formal exchanges of information due to competing interests between companies, to share information about suspicious vehicles that have been sighted or disturbed at the scene of property crimes.

It will also provide information that is generally not made available from the police to security officers, such as information about vehicles that are using written off plates.

The initiative follows similar moves by various business associations around the country.

Media Spokesperson for the New Zealand Security Officers Association, Darryn Loveridge said today, “Our Officers have expressed concern at the lack of information received from the police of which is necessary to maintain a high level of vigilance when carrying out their duties.”  

“One of the main problems that security officers face is that Police Communications require a reason to undertake a vehicle registration enquiry and not liking a vehicle being present at a client’s property is usually not sufficient reason. The purpose of this database is primarily to give good reason for police to undertake a such an enquiry,” he said.

While the new database is still only in rudimentary form and can only at this stage generate a ‘vehicles wanted’ list, it is envisaged that it will eventually allow for the generation of a list of current vehicles of interest in a particular locality that security officers will be able to print out on a daily basis.

Darryn Loveridge said, “The New Zealand Security Officers Association is most optimistic about the potential of the new database. Early reports as to its effectiveness are very promising.”