security Watch out thieves about
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by Inspector K. W. Norman,
Crime Prevention Section, New Scotland Yard.
"ARE you looking for a driver, Guy?" This was the opening gambit of a thief, and the man who made the inquiry was on to a good thing. The transport manager took a cursory look at the man's driving licence, saw that it was the correct class and had no endorsements, checked no further and hired him.
The driver was given a vehicle containing goods of considerable value and a handful of consignment notes. He delivered the load all right, but not to the premises intended by the transport manager. The lorry was found the next day close to the depot but minus its contents.
This crime need not have happened—a few positive inquiries coupled with sensible elementary precautions would have saved the firm a loss and what is more important, thwarted the -business" activities of a thief.
To avoid such a situation arising, every employer should employ drivers only after a thorough check on references over at least the previous six years. Any unexplained gaps in employment should be regarded with
suspicion. Before using the telephone to make antecedent inquiries, be certain that the telephone subscriber being contacted is in a position to supply bona fide information. Too many instances arise where references have been checked out with an accomplice of the thief occupying a public telephone kiosk.
A new driver should never be permitted to drive away by himself a valuable load until his driving licence has been checked and his Income Tax Form, P45 and National Health card are in possession of the new employer.
Finally, perhaps one of the finest deterrents against theft of the type described is to obtain a photograph of the new driver for the company records. If the man makes off with the load it helps to know what he looks like.
Drivers should be discouraged in every possible way from using the same cafe at the same time each day. Most successful criminal attacks on vehicles can be traced to the fact that the thieves were able to anticipate the whereabouts of a load at a specific time. This information can be obtained from within the company itself, often innocently provided or by collusion with the driver.
Drivers should be encouraged to inform police if they see goods being transferred from one vehicle to another in odd places. If they do not see this as a social and moral obligation they should be told of the VOC reward scheme.
Christmas is the season of good cheer and lorry thieving is not far away. Be on the alert and remember to watch out — there's a thief about.