The rise in car ownership has sparked a large increase in the number of vehicle-related crimes - such as theft, dangerous driving, speeding, and drink driving.

In a wide-ranging act, the government is aiming to reduce the rising tide of vehicle crime by reducing the opportunities to dispose of stolen vehicles. To achieve this it will introduce a new regulatory regime for the motor salvage industry to prevent stolen cars being broken up or resold in a bid to increase recovery rates.

New measures will also be introduced to regulate the registration of number plates and change the DVLA procedures surrounding cars which have been written-off.

By introducing statutory regulation, the Vehicles (Crime) Act makes it harder for criminals to dispose of stolen vehicles. Within the salvage industry there are many opportunities: to give the identity of legitimate vehicles, which have been seriously damaged or written-off, to stolen vehicles (a process known as "ringing"); for stolen vehicles to be broken up into their component parts which are then re-used to repair other vehicles or sold into the market for second hand spares and for vehicles to be disposed of and then fraudulently reported as stolen to insurance companies.

The Home Office Act introduces powers to regulate the motor salvage industry and would require salvage operators to register with local authorities, keep records and for the police to have right of entry to registered premises without warrant.

It is estimated that up to 78,000 vehicles every year are likely to have been used for "ringing" or broken up for parts. To this figure can be added a proportion of insurance frauds, estimated at up to 12,000 vehicles.

By regulating this industry the government hopes that about 39,000 vehicle thefts and 6,000 fraudulent insurance claims could be avoided each year - a move which a crime conscious home secretary believes would make a significant contribution to crime reduction.

To prevent "ringing" the Act also introduced the regulation of registration plate suppliers and new plans to reform the system used for vehicle licensing and registration. The new laws will require a vehicle, which has been written off, to have an identity check to prevent "ringing" if the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) receive a request for a registration document for a new keeper. This would prevent the identity of stolen vehicles being disguised with that of supposedly repaired scrapped vehicles.

The act also extends the time limit for bringing prosecutions for theft - or as it is described, the unauthorised taking - of cars and vans to take advantage of advances in DNA. It will also allow evidence to become available beyond the current period of six months for bringing a prosecution.

In a bid to tackle speeding, the legislation will also extend the use of fixed penalties through a network of speed cameras. The government will use the cash generated by this to install more cameras on the road network.

A system of tough new penalties and harsher sentences for drivers will also be introduced. The measures aim to cut the number of road accidents by introducing tougher sentences for serious offences - such as extending disqualification periods and extending sentences for repeat offenders.

Ministers have also pledged to introduce "innovative and flexible" penalties and a review of the penalty points system, giving the courts more flexibility in awarding the number of penalty points according to the seriousness of the offence, and more points for second offences.New "long life" points will also be introduced which, if awarded to a driver who has already completed a substantial period of disqualification, will last for six years and not three as is currently the case. The measures will also include longer sentences for drivers who kill, drink drivers and a specific new offence for driving at over 100 mph.

Transport lobbyists gave the act a cautious welcome - in particular the move to introduce tougher sentences for traffic offences.

House of Commons

• Introduction (first reading):December 7 2000
• Second reading: December 18 2000
• Standing Committee A
• Committee members
• Amendments tabled
• 1st sitting: January 9 2001 (am)
• 2nd sitting: January 9 2001 (pm)
• 3rd sitting: January 11 2001 (am)
• 4th sitting: January 11 2001 (pm)
• 5th sitting: January 16 2001 (am)
• 6th sitting: January 16 2001 (pm)
• 7th sitting: January 18 2001 (am)
• 8th sitting: January 18 2001 (pm)
• 9th sitting: January 23 2001 (am)
• 10th (final) sitting: January 23 2001 (pm)
• Note: the bill was not amended by the committee.
• Remaining stages: January 30 2001

First reading: January 21 2001

Second reading: February 15 2001

Committee

• 1st day: March 5 2001
• 2nd day: March 6 2001

Report: March 20 2001

Third reading: March 27 2001

Royal Assent: April 10 2001