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Police warning: don't park where thieves are active
Page 14
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AN OPERATOR wants to know why police sent him a warning letter about parking outside a truck stop in Northamptonshire.
Own-account operator Dave Smart says one of his drivers has been parking in orjust outside the Red Lion Truck Stop near Ml/J16 for years without any interest from the authorities.
But earlier this month his Somerset-based company Henri Smart (Europe) received a letter warning that the location on the A45 is prone to truck theft.
Smart says: "If it is well-known to the local police as a trouble spot. why aren't they doing something about it?
"Simply discouraging people from parking at one site just moves the problem elsewhere."
He adds that trucks regularly park in the lay-by immediately outside the truck stop if there is no room to park inside.
A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police explains that the warning letter is part of a campaign to raise awareness and encourage hauliers to think more about security.
"We try to encourage people not to park in areas which are known to be targeted by criminals. We try to encourage parking in designated areas instead."
She adds that a high number of thefts are taking place near all M1 junctions around the county.
The Red Lion Truck Stop could not be contacted for comment.