FTA is represented on a number of police and industry groups including JAGOLT (the Joint Action Group On Lorry Theft) and TruckWatch. This bulletin is circulated to members as part of our commitment to support the police in their work against lorry and load theft.

It would be appreciated if you would bring the following notices to your drivers’ attention, or to other members of staff as appropriate, when it is safe and convienient to do so.

Fertiliser and terrorists

Security concerns surrounding the use of manufactured agricultural fertilisers have inspired a new dedicated website to inform and advise farmers and those in the supply chain. www.secureyourfertiliser.gov.uk, launched recently, gives advice about the rationale behind securing fertilisers and to offer cost effective guidance as to how to achieve this.

Security concerns have been largely driven by the use of fertilisers by terrorists, both in the UK and overseas, to manufacture powerful explosives: for example, the train bombings in Mumbai, which used ammonium nitrate.

The website is supported by all the UK farmers’ unions together with UK fertiliser manufacturers, importers, and numerous trade associations.

If in doubt, stay put

There have been two incidents reported in the Hams Hall area of Warwickshire where loaded hgv units have been targeted.

It involves three white male offenders in what is described as a silver or light coloured Volvo saloon; police know the vehicle has been on either stolen or cloned number plates.

The method of attack is a variant on a theme - basically, anything to get the driver out of the cab so they can then steal the unit with keys. On the second occasion, the driver told them to 'go away' then, being doubtful (or conciencious), he decided to stop and check his doors after all and they stole his vehicle on the second attempt.

Be suspicious of anyone telling you there is a problem with your vehicle, no matter how convincing they may seem; if in doubt ring 999.

Don’t lose your satellite navigation equipment!

With satellite navigation equipment becoming more popular with drivers, it’s also becoming more popular with criminals. Where it’s portable keep it safe by taking it, together with the support cradle and suction pads, with you when you leave the vehicle. Police advice is to wipe away any suction pad marks left on the windscreen or dashboard as thieves will look out for these. Don’t leave the equipment in the glove compartment – thieves will usually check there first. You can also help by following these tips.

• When choosing a satellite navigation system look for one with anti-theft security features
• Mark your satellite navigation equipment system with your office postcode, your vehicle registration number or another unique number, using special security markers
• Make a note of the make, model and serial number of the equipment and keep the note somewhere safe – not in the vehicle. Consider recording this information on one of the commercially available asset registers
• Don’t leave anything on view. Thieves are opportunists and it only takes them moments to break into most vehicles.
• Lock all doors and windows, and if in a car, remember to lock the sunroof, too, if fitted
• Never leave the keys in the ignition when the car is unattended, even while you’re paying for fuel or buying a snack

For more hints and tips, visit: www.saferparking.com and www.crimereduction.gov.uk

Reminder: beware bogus officials

Reports have been received of a hijack in Kent on a rural stretch of the M20, at 01.00 on 19 January 2007.

A foreign white Renault hgv was targeted en route to London, registration number BI71669. The driver walked into Waltham Forest Police Station at 17.00 the same day, after being dumped nearby. He had been physically assaulted, no weapons seen.

The hijackers were five white males dressed in hi-vis clothing with Customs logos on jackets and some sort of id on lanyards. Suspects were in a white/cream saloon car with 'Customs' written on side and a white van, sliding side door, also with same writing and 'numbers' on sides.

They forced the lorry driver to stop on the pretext of a 'Customs' stop check. The driver was kidnapped and held by force.

Suspects

Distinctive trailer stolen

A bespoke curtainsided trailer has been stolen from a locked yard in Droitwich, Worcestershire. Sightings have been made by a driver in Derby and another on the M69 near j2 heading towards Coventry. On this occasion the trailer was being pulled by a white Transit pickup. The police suspect that travellers may have the trailer and have requested that anyone spotting it should call 999 and quote incident number 272-S 010106. PC Johnson is dealing with this incident.

The twin axle trailer is fitted with flush fitting barn doors and a solid front with a gross weight of 2700kgs. Internal dimensions are 4m long x 2.3m wide x 2m high. It has a green body and curtains and a silver chassis and is fully signwritten with ADR Express Ltd company logo and details. At the last sighting it was confirmed the curtains still have the company's name on them. The details cannot easily be removed due to the type of vinyl lettering that was used. It also has distinctive running lights and extra markers fitted to the top, bottom and rear. A picture of the trailer can be seen at www.adrexpress.co.uk

You are subscribed to %%list.name%% as %%emailaddr%%.
To unsubscribe to theft alerts newsletters only, send a blank email to %%email.unsub%%

Confidentiality note:
The information contained in this message is legally privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately and return the original message to us at info@fta.co.uk.

Please note that the FTA is able to, and reserves the right to, monitor e-mail communications passing through its network. This footnote also confirms that Sophos Mailsweeper has swept this message for the presence of computer viruses.

Freight Transport Association Limited. Registered Office Hermes House, St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN4 9UZ
Registered in England Number 391957