Government targets CV theft prevention
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• The Government is planning to reduce truck and car theft with the introduction of a wideranging legislative and operational programme.
Home Office staff, police and other vehicle security experts are now fine-tuning anti-theft ideas and will announce firm proposals later this year. For the first time there will also be a national Government target for vehicle crime.
The move follows agreement in principle from home office minister Alun Michael and transport minister Baroness Hayman. Proposals include issuing replacement number plates only through licensed outlets to individuals who prove their identity and vehicle ownership.
Major components could also be marked, with it being an offence to alter or erase the markings, and further controls could be introduced on vehicle scrap yards.
Officials will also study the trickier option of forcing shippers to ensure the legitimacy of any vehicles they export.
A Home Office spokesman says: "If all these proposals are pulled together it could really make a difference. It would contribute to seriously reducing vehicle crime."
Research conducted by the Freight Transport Association two years ago showed one in five operators had suffered vehicle or load theft in the previous year, costing the industry a minimum of £80 million. Only 60% of stolen vehicles are found.