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News story leads to VI 'hours raid'
Page 6
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by Lee Kimber • Two Northern hauliers have been raided by police and Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) officials in an investigation into allegations of drivers hours offences.
Skelmersdale-based Munro Transport and Teesside-based Bulk Haul were raided after the allegations.
The VI confirmed that it confiscated tacho records in police-supervised early morning raids. They are understood to have taken away two car-loads of records, although the VI has not yet commented on its findings. "It's too early and we've got to look at the evidence we have," says an official. Munro director John Gillam says he is taking "stringent legal advice" over a Sunday newspaper story claiming the paper passed on the evidence that triggered the raids.
The Observer report makes allegations based on a taped meeting between Gillam and seven Allen Munro drivers.
"They're being very selective about which bits they used," Gillam claims. "All our tachos are sent away to an independent analyst who is co-operating fully."
Gillam blames several former employees for the report and says the company is not in the "cowboy sector" of haulage. Munro's customers include Nestle, United Biscuits and IBM.
Gillam de flies the operation was a raid, saying Munro co-operated fully with the VI and he questions police reports that the VI took away two car-loads of records.
Steve Gibson, chairman of Bulk Haul, denies that the VI's action was a "raid" and says: "We can confirm we had a visit from the VI on Friday. We are always delighted to welcome them. We have an exemplary safety and regulation compliance record and are only too happy to be given the opportunity to display it."