Initiative to fight night thefts
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by Lisa Moore • Police in Northamptonshire are introducing a high-profile campaign to stamp out thefts from lorries, linking with other forces in an effort to beat the gangs responsible.
Since the beginning of the year in a string of incidents thousands of pounds worth of goods have been taken from lorries parked overnight. The thefts reflect a growing national trend. Last year more than £42m-worth of goods were stolen from lorries and depots in 876 incidents, up from £30m worth of goods taken in 778 in 1995.
Now Northamptonshire police have launched Operation Demolition.
They will patrol lorry parks in the county and forces will swap information and evidence in a bid to deter further crimes and catch gangs at work.
Detective Sergeant Jim Doran says the county's geography makes it an ideal stop-off place for drivers, but this means gangs know lor ries carrying valuable goods will be parked as drivers take statutory breaks.
"We are looking for greater awareness among drivers and advising them to park in secure, well lit areas," says DS Doran.
And Detective Constable Rod Walker, on the international lorry load desk based at Essex Police Headquarters, adds that lorries carrying valuable loads should not park overnight at the roadside of the road.
"We appreciate that drivers can run out of hours but they know how long a journey is going to take so they should plan to stop where it will be safeguarded," he says.
Recent thefts in Northamptonshire include more than £92,000 worth of Caterpillar boots from a container parked overnight in a remote lay-by off the A45 at Fiore. In another incident £45,000 worth of computer equipment was taken from a curtainsider parked at the Lilbourne BP Truckstop on the A5.