TruckWatch links with Crimestoppers

[11th March 2008]

TruckWatch, a membership scheme for lorry drivers and transport firms to help prevent freight crime, has joined forces with Crimestoppers in Yorkshire.

TruckWatch began operating in the county just over a decade ago in 1997, through a partnership between South Yorkshire Police, the Road Haulage Association and Sheffield-based charity, People United Against Crime. TruckWatch has gradually spread throughout the region and other areas of England in a bid to combat freight crime, estimated to cost the British economy a massive £200million each year.

Now the scheme has linked-up with the charity Crimestoppers, to make it easier for people to pass-on information about both offenders and incidents.

Crimestoppers' regional spokesman, DC Kevin Mosley said: "Raising awareness of the high value HGVs and freight which are stolen on UK roads is an important issue. But to make a real difference, we need to make it easier to get intelligence about these types of crimes to police and other law enforcement agencies.

"TruckWatch members work countrywide and get to know information about vehicle crime, rogue drivers, smuggled goods or even suspected human trafficking.

"With Crimestoppers they just need to ring one number - 0800 555 111 - which can be accessed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to report matters. Plus they can remain anonymous."

Information can also be given anonymously online a secure anonymous online 'Giving Information Form'. Crimestoppers also offers a translation service for callers who need the help of an interpreter.

TruckWatch has over 200 company members, which includes in excess of 18,000 vehicles, across Yorkshire and the Humber. They cover more than 350 miles of motorway network (excluding dual carriageways) throughout the region, including main routes such as the M1, M18, A1(M), M62 and M621, besides the port of Hull.

South Yorkshire Police's Head of Roads policing, Chief Inspector Ian Bint said: "Vehicle-related crime does not respect county, regional or national boundaries.

"We are committed to working across the UK to combat these types of crimes and in particular, thefts or transportation of stolen plant machinery.

"All Crimestoppers' information is acted upon so we urge anybody with information to please ring Crimestoppers and help us tackle this multi-million-pound criminal activity."