Restoring order with car dismantlers

Increased contact between the Christchurch Car Squad and local auto dismantlers is bringing operational benefits.

Detective Sergeant Mike Earl, Christchurch Car Squad, says a range of initiatives have been in place to improve relations and communication with the industry since the new Second Hand Dealers Act came into effect on 1 April this year.

“We visited numerous auto dismantlers and found they hadn’t applied for their new licence and weren’t keeping correct sales and purchase records,” says Mike.

Information was then sent to all dismantlers in Canterbury advising them of their obligations.

In June, two Car Squad staff attended the Auto Dismantlers AGM to outline the Police position and the industry’s responsibilities.

This includes the need to contact police if they believe a vehicle is suspect, for example, the identification altered or removed.

“There’s been an increase in the number of dismantlers contacting us,” says Mike.

The Car Squad was recently alerted after a dismantler picked up a $30,000 Nissan Skyline which had been stripped in a lockup garage. “We’re following strong leads to locate the offender.”

Two further stolen vehicles were identified in late September.

Mike says while most auto dismantlers buy whole vehicles rather than parts, there’s a booming industry in the sale of car parts via Trade Me and local Buy, Sell and Exchange magazines.

“This is a problem area and needs to be addressed,” he says. “People who sell cars or parts this way need a licence if they sell more than six items in a year, and it’s a case of buyer beware."