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RAPID celebrates first year since launch and PlantWorx award win

By  Louise Carney  ·  2 minute read

RAPID – the Registered Assets Police Information Database – has marked one year since its official launch with national recognition, winning the Security Initiative Award at last week’s PlantWorx Innovation Awards (Newark Showground, 23rd September). Judges described RAPID as “a game-changer for machinery security and a vital tool for tackling equipment theft.”
 
First announced to the industry in November 2023 and launched for police use in October 2024, RAPID was developed by Datatag as a single, web-based platform to help law enforcement agencies combat the growing threat of plant and agricultural machinery theft. In its first year, the system has consolidated data for over 1.5 million assets — including plant and machinery, agricultural equipment, and motorcycles — giving all 142,000 UK police officers, and countless others globally, instant access to ownership and registration details from a smartphone, including PNC access. From Southend to South Africa, a RAPID check can confirm machine identity in seconds.
 
The application represents a year of dedicated development by Datatag’s technical team, led by Adam Plaskitt (Lead Developer), with Vince Lane (Police Liaison Officer) ensuring it was shaped from a frontline policing perspective. Together, their input has created a practical tool that is already helping officers to recover stolen plant more quickly, deter organised crime, and reduce costly downtime for contractors and hire companies.
 
Kevin Howells, Managing Director of Datatag, said:
 
“Winning this award at PlantWorx is a milestone moment for RAPID and recognition of the huge effort that has gone into making it a reality. In just a year since launch we’ve gone from concept to a live system that every UK police officer can access in the fight against plant theft. This is technology and policing working hand in hand, and it’s already making a real difference for the industry and law enforcement alike.”
 
Vince Lane, Police Liaison Officer for Datatag, added:
 
“RAPID was built with the police in mind. Officers don’t have time for complicated systems – they need fast, accurate checks that work at the roadside or on site. RAPID delivers that, and it’s helping give police the confidence and information they need to act decisively.”
 
Adam Plaskitt, Lead Developer at Datatag, said:
 
“From a development perspective, RAPID has been one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever worked on. We’ve built something robust, secure, and scalable that can grow with the needs of both industry and law enforcement. Seeing it win an award at PlantWorx in its very first year is a huge endorsement of the hard work from the whole team.”
 
Looking ahead, RAPID continues to go from strength to strength. The next version of the system is due for release later this year, adding new features, new datasets, and expanded functionality. As the Datatag Plant and Logistics Team put it: “the best will keep getting better.”
 
Viki Bell, CEO of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), said:
 
 “RAPID is an excellent development for our sector and the past year has already shown how effective it can be. We’ve seen a steady increase in searches by police, proving its value as a practical, everyday tool. It really is a game changer in the fight against machinery theft.”
 
Join the RAPID revolution
RAPID is becoming an increasingly vital asset in the fight against machinery theft. Police forces and industry partners interested in registering for access or learning more are invited to contact plt@datatag.co.uk.
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Picture Caption:
Left to Right
Adam Plaskitt, RAPID Lead Developer, Vince Lane, Police Liaison Officer, Kevin Howells, MD, Datatag, Miles Taylor, Marketing and Brand Manager, Datatag, Rachel Hamilton, CESAR Business Development Manager and Dave Luscombe, Strategic Alliance Manager, Datatag.