Stop This Looting of Vehicles and Loads
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By " Tantalus "
WAR invariably provides opportunities of exploitation by unscrupulous sections of the community —particularly those who seek to evade the laws and regulations by employing clever and ingenious ways_ and means for purely financial gain at the expense of others. The present war is no exception; indeed, the reverse is the case, and there has developed a type of crime which affects very seriously the road-transport industry. I refer to the stealing of loads from vehicles. Scarcely a day passes without one reading in the daily Press of such cases, in which loads of considerable value are spirited away and, in numerous instances, the vehicles also disappear. If it were possible to translate the value of stolen loads and vehicles into terms of £ s. d., the result would provide a staggering figute.
This ramp has grown into a most serious menace and one which is increasing in regularity and daring. Further, it would appear to be linked closely with the
black-market racket. It is therefore essential, from every aspect, that the most stringent methods be adopted in an effort to deal adequately and successfully with this evil. The question arises as to whether the authorities concerned regard the problem as one deserving of special attention, or whether. it be placed in the category of " general " crimes. If the latter, the time has arrived, surely, for a change of attitude and policy in order that effectual measures may be used to stamp out the evil.
M. of W.T. Should Share Responsibility At whose door does such responsibility lie? The average person might regard the Home Secretary in the light of head of the police force, and, probably, this assumption would be correct. I am going to suggest; however, that the responsibility should be shared by the Minister of War Transport—and this in a major degree. Since assuming office the Minister has acted with tact, initiative and cotrage; and there is every reason to conclude that these marked qualities—which, so far, have fulfilled hopes, and expectations—will not diminish when he is confronted with other new and difficult problems. As head of the Nation's transport, doubtless he will consider the losses of loads and yehicles as matters demanding his personal attention.' The police have their hands full and cannot be expected to provide officers for the express purpose of inspecting the unloading of vehicles; indeed, adequate supervision of this nature by the police would be well-nigh impossible. Special measures would. appear to be necessary, and, in the first place, all loads of an essential nature and vital to the life of the Nation should be regarded as war supplies. In such cases there should be no distinction between civilian and military supplies.
Time and time again we have been told that this is a total• war in which every man, woman and child is affected. Nevertheless, it would appear that, in many directions, peace-time methods are still being employed to deal with• matters which are of anything but a peacetime nature. In the same way that new methods of defence and attack have been devised on land, sea and in the air to meet new and changing conditions Of warfare, so must new ideas be forthcoming successfully to deal with attacks on the civilian population.
There is not the faintest doubt that every effort is being made to round up the leaders of the cleverly organized gangs of load and lorry thieves; but until this has been successfully accomplished and the racket terminated immediate steps should be taken to afford some measure of protection. Such protection for the safe inland transportation of food, clothing, tobacco, metals, rubber, etc., is equally as necessary as that afforded to
convoys bringing such necessities to our shores. It would appear essential that, whenever possible, premises in Which loaded vehicles are housed should. be provided with an armed guard invested with the full powers of a sentry` to fire in the event of a challenge being unanswered. To this end, surely, it would be possible to secure the co-operation of the Home Guard or even the Army authorities. In the case of small operators— whose premises would not justify a guard—housing depots could be provided in approved and selected places by the Minister of War Transport, with, of course, armed protection.
I realize full well the difficulties appertaining to such a scheme, particularly in its initial stages, but problems are made to be overcome, and, in any case, prevention is better than cure.
With regard to load snatching from stationary vehicles which are waiting to unload or deliver, the temporary absence of the driver engaged on loading and delivery duties does provide an opportunity to thieves, and this they are 'quick to seize. To circumvent such criminal activities, the driver of this type of vehicle should always have a mate. Then one or other of these individuals can always remain on or with the vehicle. They should be provided with a whistle of the police type to enable them to summon help should load-lifting be attempted. A good blast on the whistle, doubtless, would bring about the desired effect.
This suggestion involves the question of labour supply, which already is sufficiently difficult; but it should be possible to obtain the requisite personnel for this type of work. It is pitiable that, in the earlier stages of the war, the powers that be did not refrain from combing out the drivers of commercial vehicles who, in the majority of instances, were keymen in an essential industry. Many drivers regarded their vehicles with an affection comparable to that lavished by a rider to hounds upon his mount, and they were " known " by their employers, but numbers have gone.
Immobilizing Methods Not Yet Satisfactory
Experience has proved that the methods laid down by the regulations governing the immobilizing of motor vehicles have not proved sufficiently effective as a preventive measure. There is, therefore, a chance for the individual with an inventive mind to devise some more satisfactory means to meet the need.
The necessary steps to deal with this growing menace could best be evolved in a discussion between the Minister of War Transport and the insurance companies affected.
(" Tantalus' has further suggestions to make concerning the safe guazding of vehicles and their loads, but, in the meantime, we would welcome contribution, of this nature from some of our versatile and knowledgeable readersa. Bo far as punishments for lorry thefts are concerned, we wou:d like to see such crime classe) as looting, with shooting as the extreme penalty.—En.]