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Thieves hit Midlands

29th August 2002, Page 48
29th August 2002
Page 48
Page 48, 29th August 2002 — Thieves hit Midlands
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• A leading Scania dealer has launched an angry attack on police forces in the Midlands for an alleged failure to tackle a wave of truck thefts.

"We're plagued by this type of crime, and not enough is being done about it," claims Chris Kelly, chairman of Keltruck.

Three trucks have been stolen from outside Keltruck branches in Tamworth, Coventry and Rugby over the past month-and-a-half, but that's only the tip of the iceberg, Kelly says. "At least one of our customers has had a brand-new Scania stolen in recent weeks," he reports.

Keltruck is doing all it can to combat criminals, he says.

"We've spent L16o,000 on strengthening security at our West Bromwich headquarters," he says. "It's like Stalag 9 now."

Dealers can't deal with the problem on their own, however, he adds. He'd like to see insurance companies introduce tighter controls on the disposal of accident-damaged trucks, and for there to be some means of tracing the source of any parts fitted to them before they are repaired and put back on the road. There's a strong suspicion that many trucks are stolen and cut up for their components.

"More resources for the police and tougher penalties for criminals would make sense too," Kelly adds.

Keltruck isn't the only Midlands dealership to be hit by theft, and it's not just trucks that go missing.

"We've had tyres and wheels stolen from our Willenhall branch, and it's suffered a lot from vandalism too," says Gerry Smith, general manager of Mercedes-Benz dealership, Gerard Mann. "We've had to spend thousands of pounds beefing up security there, and at our Birmingham and Coventry branches."

A spokeswoman for West Midlands police says that it recognises that truck theft is a problem. "Over Dim worth of lorries and loads were stolen in this area in 2001, and we're doing something about it," she says.

"Back in 1998, Operation Coppergold was launched to collate intelligence on the theft of trucks and loads, and the individuals involved in committing such offences," she continues. "Coppergold involves the West Midlands, West Mercia, Stafford shire, and Warwickshire police all working together, and is the regional name for an ongoing nationwide initiative.

"As a consequence a number of arrests have been made, and stolen property has been recovered."

The West Midlands doesn't have a monopoly on crime, however. In the East Midlands, Derbyshire police are appealing for witnesses after a security guard at Alfreton independent dealer Kevin Beale Commercial Vehicles was tied up and the premises ransacked.

Anybody with any information should ring the police on 01773 570100, or contact Crimestoppers on o800 555 Widnes ERF dealer Perris and Kearon had a large number of alloy wheels stolen from its premises recently. "Thieves broke in at night and used a hammer and chisel to remove them from vehicles," says managing director, Steve Bradley.


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