VIRGINIA BEACH, -- At the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators' (IAATI)annual conference, the National Equipment Register (NER)announced a new range of services to help law enforcement tackle the investigation of heavy equipment crime.

The president of NER, David Shillingford, explained how poor vehicle and site security allow thieves in the US to steal an estimated $1 billion of equipment annually. Complex numbering systems and poor owner records make it difficult for officers to investigate theft of these items.

NER's solution is a specialist database of stolen heavy equipment and equipment ownership to help oficers identify the status and ownership of a piece of heavy equipment. NER will employ specialists to answer calls from officers, help them locate identification numbers and carry out database searches.

NER is already building the database adn will have the first phase completed by the end of August and a toll free number for officers will be available from Oct. 1, 2001. For more information visit www.NERusa.com.