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Police plan a major revamp of Truckpol
Page 6
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The Truckpol anti truck-crime unit is to be revamped, and is likely to become part of a bigger organisation. Bridget Carter reports.
CM EXCLUSIVE TRUCKPOI „ the specialist truck crime police unit. is under scrutiny this month as senior officers consider plans to merge it with another division — it could form part of a new national vehiclecrime unit.
Police and transport sources confirm that Truckpol will almost certainly he revamped. One insider suggests it could be moved from its base at Chalk Farm in North London to merge with Operation Grafton — the unit that tackles freight crime linked to Heathrow Airport.
It is also likely to be joined by a proposed neighbourhood-watch style project called Truck watch, which is under consideration for funding by the Home Office. Truckpol boss Detective Inspector Mark Hooper is leaving the unit.
Truckpol's future will he discussed at the next meeting of the Joint Action Group Against lAirry Theft (JAGOLT) on 7 Februaty.
This will be the first meeting to be led by new JAGOLT figurehead, Assistant Chief Constable David Ainsworth.
According to his staff officer, Detective Inspector Russell Nyman. Ainsworth envisages a national vehicle crime intelligence centre to feeds all the support groups and networks.
"1 think everybody is working in their best interests, but not necessarily in a co-ordinated way," says Nyman. "An example being Truckpol. They are doing some good work, hut possibly in a limited way without looking at some of the other issues in relation to vehicle crime."
However. Road Haulage Association security manager Chrys Rampley is optimistic about the changes and believes the police want to dedicate more resources to freight crime.
One possibility, she says. is that Truckpol will fall within the remit of the new police Serious Organised Crime Agency,which is due be launched in April.
Truckpol was set up as a national road freight crime intelligence unit in April 2003. It is run by the Metropolitan Police hut relies on funding from industry sponsors