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136 
P AFORCEMENT
Page 8
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Centralisation wilt not hit crime detection says VOSA
VOSA INSISTS that 0-licence scams such as one that led to convictions last year for two bogus transport consultants are not more difficult to detect now that each Traffic Area's licensing functions are processed centrally in Leeds.
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken questioned if a centralised team of VOSA staff would pick up on the type of sophisticated fraud that led to prison for John Plummeridge and a suspended sentence for Philip Cameron ('Court convicts fraudulent consultant', CM 11 December 2008).
Deputy TC Chris Heaps later said an astute member of staff in his office had picked up on suspiciouslooking bank statements, which sparked an investigation. He described as "foolish ness"VOSA proposals to destroy bank statements after 12 months. Aitken said: "If these files had been processed centrally, would the team identify what was identified by the SEMTA Commissioner and the staff working together?"
But VOSA says its new system will spot similar crimes: "The pro
cedures for application processing remained unchanged after centralisation," says a spokeswoman.
She adds: "As technology improves, the procedures for vetting applications are changing and it is always good to look at lessons learned following such cases. Original documentation is now required for all applications and these documents, once checked, are returned to the applicant after the licence has been granted. Scanned images arc kept securely on record for later referral as necessary."
• See page 20 [or an investigation into the relationship between VOSA and the TCs.
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