|
| |
| 27 July 2010
UK - Theft: High value Metal - Offenders have taken a new approach to theft, in a number of recent crimes, where heavy copper wire is removed from staionary rigs.
It appears the wire is being 'unwound' from the cable reels which, when cut into smaller lengths, is manoeverable and aids forward transport using smaller units.
The target yard was locked-secure and was visited by a security company, however the thefts went unnoticed including entry via perimeter fencing.
The plates/vehicles listed have been linked to the thefts and ANY information in relation to these can be passed to:
TruckPol (truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk / 02476 516246) or the
ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (02476 826123)
|
21 July 2010
Runcorn - Hi Jack:
A silver Mercedes stopped in front of his victim’s lorry on a roundabout on Chester Road, Preston Brook, near Runcorn. A male, dressed in black, walked towards the lorry & opened the driver’s door.
Under threat - the trucker was forced to curl up into the footwell of his cab. The Offender then drove the rig to a convenient and demanded the driver get out of the nearside door, where a second offender man-handled to the roadside.
The driver was then bundled into the back of a waiting White Van and driven around for approx. 2 hours, before being released in North Wales - where the shocked driver managed to flag down a motorist and contact the Police.
The rig was later found abandoned in Cadishead, Greater Manchester. Its complete load of branded clothing products was stolen.
With such a thin driver account of the theft, Police appeal for anyone driving on the Chester road, who may have witnessed the initial affray.As important is to receive information on storage/selling of the stolen load.Cheshire Police 0845 458 0000, Manchester Police 0161 872 5050 or contact Truckpol.
|
|
| 23 June 2010
Midlands - Deception: The driver pictured, in a ‘M.A.N.’ tractor unit (false plate)KX07EAK, attempted to access a Northamptonshire Distribution Centre on Wednesday 23rd June claiming to be driving for a genuine haulage company. He was challenged after giving incorrect load details, so reversed from gatehouse and drove away.
He is believed to have attempted access to other DCs in the area - having hired the tractor unit at Milton Keynes, for this purpose.
Please be aware that this is one of several different attempts, in recent weeks, to acquire loaded trailers from Depots. It demonstrates an investment and level of risk that organised criminals will endure, to steal valuable cargo.
Information gratefully received on Truckpol incident forms. |
21 June 2010
Warwickshire - suspicious activity: A white MAN tractor unit was stolen from a distribution park in Coleshill on 21/06/10 between 2217hrs and 2234hrs.
At 2217hrs, the same day, a blue transit van was seen with three occupants doing a ‘U’ turn outside of the site entrance. This van had been seen several times during the previous few days in vicinity of site.
If you have sighting of a blue transit around your distribution areas please contact TruckPol with details using our incident form: http://www.truckpol.com/contact.htm or
02476 516246/truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk
|
|
| 19 June 2010
Merseyside Truck Crime Gang get 60 years: A violent criminal gang were finally sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, ending a spate of nationwide freight robberies of designer clothing, electricals and alcohol.
The thefts were carried out by a 12 man, well organised gang, who often assaulted and held captive innocent drivers, while they raided the loads.
Police estimate that more than £1 million was acquired by the gang...example hauls being £600k of Fred Perry shirts, £65k of trainers etc.
Judge David Boulton said: "As a group of not less than 12 men, you agreed to target HGVs and their loads all around the country.I've been able to identify 28 discrete attacks which all have a familiar thread and method of operation. Three such attacks involved the kidnap and/or the detention of the driver and of gratuitous violence shown to them"
Keith Sutton (prosecuting) relayed how the gang were caught during a 6 month undercover operation run by the North West Regional Crime Unit. He told the Court that the gang had toured the country, stealing vans and cars, which they used, under false plates, to stalk their targets in Service Areas and Lorry Parks.
Some drivers slept through the raids. However, victims were attacked in Sandbach (driver tied with cable and kidnapped for 3 hours) and Monmouth (driver taped to a lamp-post with industrial strength clingfilm)
They were also 'skilled' enough to dis-able alarms in industrial units.
|
|
|
|
|
14 June 2010
National - Theft: Intelligence continues to come in around the theft of exhaust systems or parts including the CAT convertors from HGV’s. This crime has been largely attributed to 4x4 vehicles and vans as they offer clearance to allow easy removal of units, without jacking up etc. These thefts are often linked to theft of fuel (diesel) – the CATs are taken for their palladium, platinum and rhodium content.
|
|
|
|
|
The advice to owners/companies & hauliers includes:
Where possible, park vehicles within good view of external infra-red CCTV if available
Park vehicles in a well lit position (consider security lighting)
Park vehicles overnight ‘fuel tank to fuel tank’ whenever possible
Park in a goods bay if undercover & available
Contact Police for all suspicious incidents, if suitable update TruckPol via website or email
If you have a parked fleet, try blocking those with high clearance with low clearance units
Consider ID etching, it's overt & can discourage thieves with the knowledge that onward sale might be hindered, or value greatly reduced.
Etching also allows CATs to be identified in Police general investigations – Contact TruckPol for further details
|
02 June 2010
Nottinghamshire - Theft: A driver decided to overnight at an unlit lay-by on the A1, near Retford on the northbound carriageway. Typically, in such an insecure environment, his trailer was curtain-slashed and 150 boxed lawnmowers were stolen. These mowers are branded as 'Mountfield' and are petrol-driven model no. H454.
Police surmise a van or small lorry would have been used in the robbery.Witnesses travelling the A1 northbound at Markham Moor around 00:15-06:30hrs may have seen something of note. Notts Police also appeal for information on the mowers - some of which will be in a B&Q marked carton.
Notts Police 0300 3009999, or Truckpol.
|
|
| 01 June 2010
Cardiff - Theft: A fledgling Junior race team have had their plain trailer stolen from Queen Alexandra Dock during the evening/night of 31May-01June.
There are no particular distinguishing marks to this tri-axle rig.The coachbuilding/manufacturer number is A033994
Information to South Wales police: 01656 655 555 or Truckpol
|
|
|
|
Q1 and Q2 2010
DRIVER ALERT General:
Advice on "induced (false) collision crime: deliberately causing collisions in order to defraud victims and their insurers.
Please read haulier and driver detailed advice here |
|
|
|
24 May 2010
Southampton Dock - Theft: Between 00:30-03:00hrs offenders broke into a dockyard site. They accosted and then tied up the security staff before shifting 26 pallets of cigarettes onto an articulated truck they had prepared.
The haul, of branded cigarettes, is estimated at £2million.The brands were: Benson & Hedges, Lambert & Butler, Superkings, Mayfair...and many of the individual packs will have health warnings in Spanish.
Police are requesting information on the organised criminals or the selling/storing of the contraband.
Hampshire Police 0845 0454545 or Truckpol. |
|
|
|
6 May 2010
Dover, Kent - Damage/Theft: There has been a short rash of criminal activity victimising trucks who stop on the A20 coastal road between Dover and Folkestone. The lay-bys at Court Wood area are particularly vulnerable.
These attacks on property appear to be targetted at foreign plated hauliers - however, numerous and swift curtain slashings can be aimed at anyone, as offenders indiscriminately search for any high-value load.
Witnesses/informants should call Kent Police 01622 690690, or Truckpol. |
|
|
|
Mar/Apr/May 2010
Barking/Silvertown, London - Deception: A series of 'Deception' or 'Diversion' crimes have occurred in and around the East London area around River Road.
The method is fairly standard: drivers are re-directed to another address;loading bay;wharehouse, to drop off their load.
The criminal may be wearing a hi-viz jacket and/or holding a clipboard/paperwork to convince the driver he is an official.Deceivers may operate very close to genuine drop-off locations. Foreign hauliers and/or foreign drivers are particularly vulnerable to deception using dummy paperwork.
Despatchers must be extra vigilent in repeatedly educating their Agency drivers...and insist that exact address and contact procedures are followed, when delivering goods.
Informants should contact Met Police 0300 123 1212, or Truckpol |
|
|
|
30 April 2010
West Midlands - Theft: A skip loader (pictured below) entered Hams Hill distribution yard, in Coleshill, at approx. 1630hrs. The rig backed up to a skip full of high-value metal, and drove straight out.
|
|
|
|
|
The driver did not leave his cab and the whole robbery was over in 2 minutes.
The security camera footage is poor, but it is fair to say that the vehicle does not look new; is a 2-tone cab of YELLOW/RED with RED trailer/hydraulic arms; has a minimal front fender.
Police request Truckers to have a good look at this image and help by discerning the make/model type and/or to help with other information. West Midlands: 0345 113 5000 or Truckpol.
|
|
|
|
24 Apr 2010
Norwich, Norfolk- Theft: Organised fuel theft events at haulage yards in Norwich, should encourage all hauliers and distribution centres to be extra vigilant.Thefts are in the 1000s of litres and so far, no rigs have been stolen - which may suggest offenders are using specialist vehicles to transport.These may be stolen tankers, mini-Tankers or vehicles capable of carrying fuel drums.
Observers should take note of any unusual activity within yards: sprawling pipes or tubes, compressors running, vans and trucks parked close to perimiters etc.
Witnesses should call Norfolk Police 01953 424378, or Truckpol. |
|
|
|
24 Apr 2010
A6 Rushden: Theft Lay by, northbound, Wellingborough-Midlands district. Driver parks his SCANIA (reg KX53FKM)overnight, awoken Sunday 0400 by disturbance.
Offenders are already in escape mode, as driver exits his cab - and spots T reg Transit driving away toward A45.
Unfortunately, 100m of copper cable has already been taken (approx£18,000). This open rig was also carrying a CAT deisel tank and CAT Generator, with a metal cage to the rear - which may jog the memory of a fellow trucker.
Information to Northants Police 03000 111 222, or Truckpol. |
|
|
|
24/25 April 2010
A38 Taunton - Theft: The rig was left, securely parked at the layby in Walford Cross, directly outside Walford house.
|
|
|
|
|
Licence is P22AMT and the chassis 4449762.
Above picture is of actual cab and 2-part trailer and lift.
Any information to Avon-Somerset police 0845 456 7000, or Truckpol.
|
|
|
|
17/18 April 2010
Southampton area - Theft: Curdridge - a sleepy village between Southampton and Fareham, in South Hampshire. Between the Saturday/Sunday, thieves took a horsebox. No ordinary horsebox - but £80,000+ of luxury horse and rider accommodation.
|
|
|
|
|
Records have this SCANIA trailer as white - although it is plainly Silver, with License plate: 4813TR.
Truck has distinctive logo (as above) on rear and side. This vehicle has bespoke electric blue, suede seats - which are unique to the vehicle/coachwork suppliers (Whittakers)
It is also a 3 axle unit. Information to Hampshire Police 0845 045 4545, Crimestoppers or Truckpol
|
|
|
|
13 April 2010
A12, Suffolk - Attempted HiJack: Early morning, 2 a.m, a tanker driver reported an attempt to HiJack his rig near Blythburgh.
The driver described his tanker being 'pushed' from behind and a hearing a loud bang-forcing him off the road.
Immediately, a gang of 3 or 4 males, described as Asian and wearing woolly hats, ran to the cab and attempted to violently drag the driver from it. The driver was hit in the stomach and head...and two of the criminals were carrying handguns.
|
|
|
|
|
The driver recalls possible suspect vehicles as: a dark-coloured 4x4 and a Transit-style van...with lights on full beam.
He also recalls that he was shouted at in English, but that conversations were carried out in an unknown foreign language.
The driver did manage to kick one of the criminals, causing him to drop a weapon underneath the tanker.
The suspects then fled the scene, heading northbound toward Wangford and Lowestoft
Suffolk CID request any relevant information...including sightings of abandoned 4x4/Transits.
Contact Suffolk Police 01473 613500; Crimestoppers; Truckpol.
|
|
|
|
6 April 2010
N.Wales, Flintshire - Rig
Theft: During this late Tuesday evening, offenders gained entry to the compound of a Tarmac
Unit by cutting through the chain link perimeter fencing.
They proceeded to steal 2x Cement Mixers - in the same livery as shown below:
|
|
|
|
|
They also took the time to fill up with diesel, from another compound
vehicle, to ensure they had an unbroken journey.
The stolen vehicles are both confirmed as cement mixers reg: W67COH (white cab: DAF) and
MX53WCU (multi coloured cab: Mercedes) Police believe the units travelled North, in convoy, and are
appealing for information from public and industry. contact North Wales Police 0845 6071002, or
Truckpol.
|
|
|
|
28 Mar 2010
Grimsby - Tanker
Theft: Overnight Sunday/Monday at Estate Road, offenders took a Feldbinder Tank semi-trailer:
|
|
|
|
|
This vehicle has a Belgian plate: QEU 232, serial number WFB334S9B51030071. The logo:'Transport De Meulemeester' is easily visible. Any sightings or information please contact TruckPol.
|
|
|
|
15 March 2010
Lockerbie, Scot. - Truck theft:
Overnight on the 16/16 March, organised criminals took several maintenance vehicles and
associated equipments from a Dumfries depot. Access was simply acquired by cutting a padlock and driving
away the vehicles. Police suspect a gang, associated with robberies in Wales, may be responsible.
Below are the actual vehicles taken:
|
|
|
|
|
They are - a Mercedes Gritter (licence: T611CDM); an Iveco Daily Tipper
(PX55DVY); 2x Ford Transit Tippers (SD56YHG & TF07ZBB).
Various bits and pieces of equipments were in
the vans: JCB Hydraulic Breaker (Serial No: PB73684) + Gun (a classic highway "jackhammer" and compressor kit)
The
offenders also towed away a trailer + Quad bike...but they overheated the brakes and abandoned that rig,
in flames, on the M74.
Dumfries Police would like to hear from anyone witnessing the various movements of the vehicles - on the move? parked while "attention" paid to number plates? turning up at other yards?
Contact Dumfries division 0845 600 5701, Crimestoppers 0800 555 111, or Truckpol
|
|
|
|
11 March 2010
Lincolnshire A1 - Load Theft: During the overnight, 11/12 March, a driver stopped for sleep on the layby A1 northbound, at the North Witham turning. At time of stopping there were no other rigs parked up. Thieves slashed the curtain sider, very severely, to reveal load:
|
|
|
|
|
The driver heard nothing. 17 pallets of goods, worth approx. £20,000 were removed, suggesting the offenders had more than just a van to assist the robbery. Goods included Hand Gels, Body Spray, General 'fresheners' and Sunglasses. Some pallets were left strewn around the crime scene.
Police are appealing to drivers who may have witnessed activity/cars around the layby.
Lincolnshire Police 0300 111 0300 or Truckpol
____________________________________________________
|
| From Our Archive - MERSEYSIDE OPERATIONS:
Serious Organised Crime Agency - Detective Inspector Steve Marr: "An organised and slick gang of criminals caused an insurmountable level of disruption to the haulage industry across the UK in the time they were in action. I am delighted that we have managed to bring them to justice.... TruckPol was instrumental in tracking down these criminals and coordinating our surveillance. Without it, we would have faced a lengthy process of evidence gathering which would've been slowed by the number of forces we had to liaise with. The central database at Truckpol eliminated this issue and consequently shortened the time it took to convict these criminals. We also used information provided by TruckPol to compile an impact statement for the courts, which the judge used as a guideline for sentencing and referred to in his summing up."
|
|
Site hosted by EUROWATCH
©TruckPol 2007 | | | | | |
|
|---|
|
