Ferrymasters in tachograph raid
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Ian Wylie • The Vehicle Inspectorate and Suffolk police are interviewing drivers employed by P&O Ferrymasters following the seizure of tachograph records and other documents from the company's Ipswich head office.
Acting on a tip-off, police and officers from the VI's Norwich office obtained a search warrant to raid the Ferrymasters office just after 08:00hrs on 3 June.
The VI says tachograph records are being checked by its officers and the police against other documents seized during the raid. The investigation is expected to last another month, during which time the VI will decide whether to press charges, issue summons' or pass on information to Eastern Traffic Area Office to call for a public inquiry.
P&O Ferrymasters, which is the haulage arm of P&O European Transport Services, says it is co-operating fully with the investigation. "This company has no previous convictions for any tachograph or hours offences," said Ferrymasters managing director John Bradshaw.
"And, while it is true that the police have asked for certain documents, we have no reason to believe that this company is involved in any offence which may or may not have been committed by a driver or drivers."
Ferrymasters employs 170 drivers, most of them at its sites in Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Dover, but two months ago the company announced 50 voluntary redundancies. The company believes the tip-off may have come from a disgruntled former employee, but the VI is satisfied the source is "bona fide".