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New scheme to stamp out
Page 6
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inflated recovery charges
by Guy Sheppard and Miles Brignall A scheme launched this week is designed to prevent overcharging by breakdown operators working on police contracts, Rival operators say there are many examples of hauliers and motorists being "held to ransom" by some contractors who monopolise vehicle recovery call-outs from police in certain parts of the country.
The new accreditation scheme, backed by the Department of Transport and the Home Office, will seek to put a stop to this practice. Mike Eagles, chief executive of the Road Rescue Recovery Association, says the scheme will introduce a code of practice covering fees, quality of service and working procedures. "If a company decides to abuse any of that, we can sanction them, suspend them or whatever," he adds.
Eagles says police forces will be encouraged to appoint accredited operators because they have a "dirty of care" to ensure recoveries are handled properly. "We will inspect every accredited member a minimum of once a year," he says. "They must show their vehicles are up to standard and their drivers are suitably qualified."
Eagles is also chairman of the South Wales and Gwent Recovery Group, which represents 30 inde pendent recovery operators.
Earlier this year Gwent Police Authority (CPA) was bitterly criticised by auditors for the way it had awarded an exclusive recovery contract to Newport-based Walls Truck Services (CM10-16 May).
The CPA has since reverted to a rota system which includes Walls among other operal However, its contract with Walls T Services is due to naturally expire at end of the year.