The Drinks Industry Project Scotland was established in 2002 as a unique partnership approach between a number of Scottish based alcohol spirit producers and associated hauliers and freight forwarders. The Initiative is managed by an Executive Committee, representative of all member companies including an elected Chairperson.  The Management Committee works closely with key Associations to represent the members interests, ensuring effective crime prevention mechanisms are developed and relevant timely intelligence and information is disseminated.  Day to day operation of the Project is carried out by a full time Project Co-ordinator, based at the Scottish Business Crime centre.

On 1 May 2004, the Drinks Industry Project Scotland was fully incorporated into the Scottish Business Crime Centre. 

The purpose of the DIPS Project is to:

• Seek to improve all methods of crime prevention employed by those in the Group and to raise awareness and importance of security to all concerned in the movement of goods in transit, by the implementation of agreed set minimum standards accepted by the membership.
• Maintain a database of all intelligence and information known to the industry in relation to matters of criminal attack against the industry and to disseminate all such intelligence and information to the members and where appropriate, other agencies who may benefit from such intelligence and information.
• Represent the interests of member companies in relation to security of goods in transit, whether by road, rail, sea or air.
• Encourage the exchange of information and good practice between member companies.
• Provide an effective communication network on key issues relative to the security of the industry.

DIPS continues to work in consultation with the following Associations/Agencies and others involved in the security of goods in transit:

• Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
• Bonded Warehousekeepers Association
• Freight Transport Association
• Her Majesty's Customs & Excise
• Road Haulage Association
• Technology and Logistics Security Group
• The Scotch Whisky Association
• The Tobacco Manufacturers Association
• Truckpol
• Vehicle Operators Servises Agency (VOSA)

If you would like to receive further information regarding the DIPS Project, please click here.