Though there has recently been a decrease in vehicle fires in the Tyne and Wear area when compared to previous years, there is still a major problem with car crime and car fires.
Most long-term untaxed vehicles are used in crime, are uninsured and have no valid MOT. At the end of their useful life the cars are likely to be abandoned, in turn they become targets for arson.
To tackle this problem the Arson Task Force work with partner agencies - Northumbria Police, Local Authorities and the DVLA, using a CUBIT style operation to clear the streets of vulnerable vehicles. This involved the partners identifying untaxed vehicles and having them immediately uplifted.
The name CUBIT is a play on words, CUBE IT is the term used to describe the end result when a vehicle is recovered and subsequently crushed. CUBE IT was shortened to produce CUBIT.
