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Hauliers warned to watch out for terrorist activity

4th October 2001
Page 6
Page 6, 4th October 2001 — Hauliers warned to watch out for terrorist activity
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

II by Miles Brignall

The haulage community is being urged to be extra vigilant following the recent terrorist attacks in the US and in the face of evidence suggesting that the suicide bombers had considered using trucks for their attacks.

As more details have surfaced about the background to the events in New York on 11 September, it has emerged that some of the hijackers had looked at learning to drive trucks as well as flying.

While there is no evidence that terrorists are planning to use a CV to mount an attack in the UK, much of the focus of the investigation has shifted to Europe where several of the attackers are known to have been active in the run-up to the attacks.

There is some evidence to suggest that the US Embassy in Paris was seen as a potential target and a truck was considered as a way of carrying a bomb to the area, The Freight Transport Association has sent out some advisory notes to members. 'There's no need for any panic and everyone should go about their business normally.

'We are simply asking people to consider their systems in the light of what happened in America,' says a spokesman.

There is no doubt that any group planning a similar attack here would naturally look to use a vehicle of some kind. Airport security is much tighter in Europe than it is in the US, making hijacks much more difficult and the use of a vehicle more likely. The IRA has used vehicles to blow up buildings and use( 7.5-tonne Ford Cargo flatbed devastate the area around I Baltic Exchange in the City London in 1992. Desplte varic pleas at the time the truck's c gin was never traced.

Suicide bombers use VE ales to make attacks in Israel a regular basis.

Inevitably the focus is al shifting towards tankers car ing hazardous goods and parl ularly petrol: given the ill preparation they could con: tute ready-made bombs.

ETA advice: • Check the background on z driver you feel unsure of, inch ing employment history/doi mentation; only take agency c vers from a reputable soun • Check and update your der security and keep the number people who know your secur arrangements to a minimum.

• Remind drivers of their sari obligations—never carry um thorised people in the cab a always park securely, parth larly overnight.

• Avoid repetitive, routi stops and vary regular rout


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