road freight security

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Yorkshire has become the UK’s hot spot for criminal gangs targeting trucks and lorries as incidents of heavy goods vehicle thefts surge to record levels in the region.   The national policing unit for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) crime has revealed figures that show that in West Yorkshire alone, trucks and lorries are now being stolen at a rate of six per week – far higher than in any other part of Britain.

The figures are contained in the latest reports from Truckpol, a branch of the national Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service which collates and analyses road freight products incidents of HGV crime. “We have noticed a very big increase in thefts of vehicles in this region,” said Det Sgt Sue Coutts, who heads up the Truckpol unit. “It’s very difficult to say why – it’s something we are actively looking into.”

The Road Haulage Association (RHA), which represents haulage firms across the UK, said criminal gangs both from within Yorkshire and from other parts of the country such as Merseyside were causing problems for firms operating locally.Its head of security, Chris Rampley, said: “There is definitely a problem in Yorkshire. I’m aware of gangs around Leeds and Wakefield – they go up and down the A1 in particular looking for targets.”

WORST-HIT AREAS

Thefts of HGVs in 2010 by police force area:

1. West Yorkshire – 309

2. Essex – 173

3. Thames Valley – 144

4. Metropolitan – 143

5. West Midlands – 141

6. Kent – 135

7. South Yorkshire – 127

8. Nottinghamshire – 101