NU Online News Service, March 30, 8:55 a.m. EST

Verisk Analytics’ new Verisk Crime Analytics division will help the company assist both law enforcement and crime victims in the private industry, a Verisk executive says.

Verisk, which provides risk-assessment services for companies in the property and casualty, mortgage, healthcare, government and human resources sectors, announced the formation of the crime division earlier this week. The division is the result of recent product launches and acquisitions, Verisk says.

According to David Shillingford, president of Verisk Crime Analytics, “There are always going to be limited public-safety resources [now] with the economy which we are in. There is a disconnect and a desire on both [the victim and law-enforcement] sides to help one another, and we are here in the middle to provide information and subject matter to law enforcement in a simple solution.”

In launching the Crime Analytics division, Verisk has integrated several specialized national crime databases that cater to the construction, retail, transportation, manufacturing, and insurance industries, which are often plagued by cargo theft, organized retail crime, bank crime and stolen mobile equipment.

Shillingford says, “Law enforcement is more likely to get involved in a subject like this if they have expertise.” 

Verisk has also researched and instituted best-practices in gathering information in order to deter crime and to track stolen material. For example, Shillingford’s advice to construction-equipment owners is “to make sure that you have an account register of each serial number. [Verisk] took it a step further to have this information available to law enforcers 24/7.

“Quick reporting is an example of a best practice we’ve been able to help facilitate”, says Shillingford, citing speed as a priority in staying ahead of criminals.”

Corrected to show that David Shillingford has received the title of "President of Verisk Crime Analytics" with the formation of the group.