A recent report in The Times newspaper claims that where theft or damage amounts to less than £50, or where a minor crime’s CCTV is inadequate or not available, officers are instructed not to investigate. This practise is mirrored in other parts of the country where police forces have dropped investigations into lower level offences such as theft from motor vehicles, so they can prioritise their shrinking budgets and resources.   

“This is a worrying development,” said Road Haulage Association (RHA) Chief Executive Richard Burnett. “Theft from large vehicles is often seen as a victimless crime. It’s not. But worst of all, for a driver it can be a horrendous experience. What sort of message does this send out to criminals? With a lowering risk of being caught or prosecuted, I fear this news will give gangs and opportunists the confidence to single trucks out as easy pickings.”   

"Operators have every right to be concerned about this apparent green-light to petty criminals and the removals industry is potentially at greater risk than most with vehicles full of customers' personal belongings in open vans during moves. Criminals are everywhere and this change of policy by the police is a clear signal to everyone in our industry to alert crews to the increasing threat from opportunist thieves." 

Photo: Richard Burnett.