joanna.bourkefarbi.co.uk A TRUCK CRIME police officer has refused to back away from his attitude towards overnight truck parking in lay-bys.
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PC Steve Rounds, CV lead at the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG), sparked off a debate by posting a response to news of a trucker who was abducted in a recent hijack, as reported on Roadtranspoti corns Lorry Crime Blog.
He wrote. "Again, a lorry driver chooses to park in a lay-by and pays the price. When will they learn? It's about time insurance companies started to exert some influence by withdrawing cover unless a vehicle is properly parked in a service area or truck park" The driver in question was forcibly removed from his cab while parked in a lay-by in Rothwell, West Yorks, and thieves stole his load of Lego and beauty products.
One blog respondent retorted: "I cannot believe a police officer who has, for several years, been involved in trying to reduce truck crime has so little understanding of the industry."
Another adds: You cannot blame the driver. My company will not pay [for truckers] to park in
motorway service areas because they are too expensive.
Other posts make reference to strict tacho rules forcing drivers to park up. being a victim of theft even in secure truckstops, and a lack of policing leaving truckers susceptible to crime.
Rounds tells CM: stand by my comments as they were general comments and not specific to this case.Yes, you may get a curtain slashing every now and then, but I can't remember when we had a driver kidnapped from a truck park. Train your drivers not to unlock and open doors to anyone, unless they are absolutely sure of their ID." Meanwhile, Jo Tanner, Freight Transport Association director of communications, tells CM that safe and well-maintained truckstops will be at the centre of its general election manifesto To see the whole debate, or to add your comments, log on to www.roadtransport.com/ lorrycrimeblog