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.

Christmas is coming! Additional drivers, hired-in vehicles, new rosters and routes all provide theft possibilities for opportunists if companies do not stay on their guard. Drivers are reminded of the golden rule - to only accept changes in their delivery or collection instructions from those they know in their own traffic offices (see the second item below). And traffic office staff are also reminded to beware bogus callers seeking information on vehicle movements.

Recipients of this e-mail are invited to pass it on to those drivers or other appropriate members of staff in their organisations when it is safe and convenient to do so.

Garage/workshop security

We have received a note from a member who reports that they had an Iveco Daily van stolen from a garage in Ossett, West Yorkshire.  While the vehicle was in for repair and parked on the garage forecourt, some opportunist walked into the office, picked the keys off the key hook and made off with the van.  The first the garage knew about it was when staff heard the vehicle being started up outside and ran out to see it disappearing.  The van, liveried with ’Multipanel‘ and ’Grant Westfield‘ on the sides and rear, was later seen driving erratically along Bradford Road weaving in and out of traffic and jumping red lights.

All members are warned to ensure the garages that deal with their vehicles keep the keys securely locked away. 

Around the corner load disappeared

At about 14.00 hours on 27 September 2007, an agency driver arrived at a cash and carry warehouse in London with a high-value load of drinks.  Due to the yard being busy at the time, the driver was approached by the first suspect and asked to drive round the block to allow access to other vehicles.  On its return some 10 minutes later a second suspect approached the vehicle and advised the driver that he had arranged for the load to go to another site and jumped into the cab to direct the driver.

The journey lasted about 10 minutes.  The suspect alighted from the cab and met two other men in a white van.  Unfortunately there is no further description of this vehicle.  One hundred and thirty six cases from the consignment were then transferred into the white van. Descriptions of the two men are poor, but the first is described as 6’1” with ginger coloured hair.  The second is described as 5’11” tall, broad build with fair hair.

Members should be aware that deceptions of this and similar kinds will be rife at this busy time of the year.

RHA Seminar on lorry and load theft

The RHA has confirmed that new arrangements for their postponed road freight security conference, ‘Combating Freight Crime’ are as follows.

Date: 11 March 2008

Location: Towcester Racecourse, Towcester
Time: 9am to 4pm

Presentations will be made by the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service among others and John Stalker, former Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester police will preside over the day. 

For booking and pricing details contact Mrs Jan Mills at RHA Head Office in Weybridge, tel 01932 841515.

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