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NATIONALIST FERVOUR

8th July 1993, Page 24
8th July 1993
Page 24
Page 24, 8th July 1993 — NATIONALIST FERVOUR
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"I feel immensely uncomfortable with what I've heard this evening" a senior police officer told Kent-based hauliers after listening to their complaints about the lack of police response to truck theft.

Fortunately their cries of despair have been heard. Police in Kent pan to work with hauliers to draw up a code of practice which will ensure that busy police officers give the problem the priority it deserves. And the force's Detective Chief Superintendent John Blackburn has promised to spread the gospe on truck theft around his patch, reminding his officers that this is "a serious crime that requires an immediate response".

We couldn't agree more. But now that Kent is prepared to take truck theft seriously, how many more trucks have to be stolen before other Forces follow suit? And if what the police say about truck theft becoming more organised is true, then why does the Home Office still refuse to set up a national anti-truck theft task force? Fortunately Kent Police aren't the only ones to take truck theft seriously—the Transport & Genera Workers Union is puffing together it's own charter to help hijack victims recover from their ordeal.

This is also a praiseworthy initiative, but the TGWU would be the first to agree that prevention is better than cure and you can't beat a nationwide—or international—problem in a piecemeal manner. Truck thieves are not restricted by borders. They've got more than 400,000 targets to choose from, spread right across the country: making things hot for villains in one county will merely drive them into another where the pickings are easier The last time Commercial Motor wrote to the Home Office making a case for a national task force the reply was a classic example of donothingspeak: "We do not consider that a national task force would be the answer associated with truck theft." And the best we could get from Home Office Minister Michael Jack was: "Some Home Office publicity aimed specifically at truck theft might be appropriate." That'll really have those gangs of hardened truck thieves quivering in their boots.

_ If you're worried about truck theft then why not write to the Home Secretary Michael Howard at: The Home Office, 50, Queen Anne's, London SW1H 9AT.We'd be fascinated to hear his ideas.. more leaflets, perhaps?


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