Datatag
DATATAG TIMELINE
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER LET’S TALK BUSINESS
www.britishdealernews.co.uk
2015
Official COMPASS Scheme launched by the British Marine Federation with Datatag chosen to be the technology partner
from anywhere in the world can call Datatag and, by simply quoting any one of the many secure identification numbers on an asset, learn whether it is listed as stolen and receive details of the registered owner. As part of the Official MASTER Scheme, Datatag is fitted to most motorcycles from new – Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Ducati, Triumph, BMW, Harley-Davidson, and Indian are all signed up. As the numbers of motorcycles protected with Datatag has increased in the “parc”, the theft rate has continued to fall. At the same time, police are now finding that previously untraceable parts and components recovered during raids on breakers and some back street dealers are now able to be identified using Datadots or UV etches. This has led to an increase in arrests and prosecutions of those involved in organised criminality focusing on ringing stolen bikes. Datatag says there can be no doubt that the technology has significantly reduced the risk of having your motorcycle stolen and, at the other end of the scale, improved the chances of a recovery. After nearly three decades in the security marking business, Datatag has become almost a “verb” in its own right, with motorcyclists, farmers, builders and boaters all “Datatagging” their machines. Dave Luscombe, strategic alliance manager with Datatag, said: “Datatag was born out of the motorcycle theft crisis in the early 1990s and since then has become part of the motorcycling lexicon … you don’t security tag your bike, you Datatag it!” So the question is, have you Datatagged yours? ■
UK MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS THEFT 35000
Thefts by year of motorcycles and scooters
30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Thefts of MASTER Scheme protected motorcycles in 2017 and 2018: • 2017 – 2099 stolen. c220k bikes protected with MASTER so theft rate of 0.95% • 2018 – 1832 stolen. c280k bikes protected with MASTER so theft rate of 0.65%
DAILY | WEEKLY | MONTHLY | YEARLY
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34 JUNE 2019
Official MASTER Scheme launched by the MCIA to help combat motorcycle theft and cloning; Datatag chosen to be technology partner
27300
“Datatag … has become part of the motorcycling lexicon … you don’t security tag your bike, you Datatag it!”
2012
32200
F
ormed in 1992 as a subsidiary of Japanese By combining invisible ultra-violet etching, radio conglomerate Mitsui, Datatag was frequency identification tags and stealth Datadot conceived from the outset specifically to technologies and forensic DNA, Datatag is able combat motorcycle theft. Twenty-seven to give almost any asset a combination of unique years on and Datatag is now privately owned and marks and identifications that prove, beyond still a driving force in motorcycle security – in doubt, its provenance and ownership. 2012 it became the technology For thieves this is a real partner behind the official problem. To avoid the risk of MASTER Scheme of the MCIA detection, they have the almost (formerly known as the Motor impossible task of removing Cycle Industry Association). every single identification mark Datatag protects more than without damaging the item. 500,000 motorcycles in the For police, however, this is a UK, and more recently the great help. They only need to company has expanded into locate and identify one or two sectors including construction of the marks to assist with a and agricultural machinery, prosecution. The odds are very cars, trailers, bicycles and power much stacked against the thief. tools – which essentially all Kits, costing £89.99, can be have one thing in common – bought from Datatag direct or they are easy to steal! through dealers supplied by Dave Luscombe, Datatag Like many of the best Direct Distribution for pre-2012 inventions, it really is clever machines or those manufactured stuff, but the concept of Datatag is simple: give by non-participating brands. valuable assets an identification method that All of this, says Datatag, has made a major can prove ownership. Criminals prefer to target impact on reducing theft across a variety of sectors property where the original manufacturer’s and helped the police bring many successful identification numbers can be easily removed or prosecutions against criminals. changed. Tampering with the numbers makes But while the technology employed by Datatag property less likely to be identified and hinders is impressive in its own right, equally as important the police in tracing the property’s true owners. If is its database and secure contact centre which you can’t prove who owns it, you can’t prove it to is accessible by police 24 hours a day, every day. be stolen. Via a dedicated contact number, a police officer
Official CESAR Scheme launched by the Construction Equipment Association to combat plant machinery and agricultural machinery theft, with Datatag as the chosen technology partner
27200
Suzanne Potts uncloaks the invisible force driving motorcycle security
2007
Datatag sold to management team; moved to private ownership
23300
the art of identification
Datatag launched by Mitsu to combat motorcycle theft
21800
Datatag
1992 2007
IT’S
F REE www.britishdealernews.co.uk