Don’t play with fire
Page 2
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Three suspected arson attacks on hauliers in as many months – and that’s just the ones we know about and have reported. In April, Milltech Haulage had nearly half its fleet written off, and then in May PTR Services suffered when more than half of its fleet was also written off. Now Thomas Bros Excavation has been hit too: more than half of its fleet has been destroyed (see p6).
The effects of arson go beyond the cost of damaged vehicles, loads, properties and infrastructure: there’s a human cost too. Thomas Bros director Andrew Burton tells us: “Seeing this massive amount of destruction has shocked me to the core and I wonder why somebody would want to do this.” We’re not sure that these three arson attacks can be described as a spree, but they do constitute a worrying trend that raises the following questions: ● how secure are your premises?
● could your business bounce back if you woke up tomorrow to find half of your fleet in flames?
● and if there is a definite increase in arson attacks, how do we – the state and society – prevent idiots from wanting to play with fire?
If you have any information that could aid the capture of the arsonists, we urge you to contact Crimestoppers.
● On a lighter note, this month’s Trucking Britain Out Of Recession survey is online. Go to www.roadtransport.com/britain to take part.
Justin Stanton