Sept/Oct 2003

TruckPol, the service created from the UK's former National Stolen Lorry Load Desk and now run by the Metropolitan Police, is to be given a boost through a link with Eurowatch, which provides a centralised Europe-wide service for tracing stolen vehicles.

The organisation is to set up a Web-based repository for information on vehicle crimes, which initially will support the Met's TruckPol desk, but ultimately will be made available online to police and other parties throughout Europe. The aim is to encourage police forces across the Continent to register details of vehicle crime, so that the information can be collated, and emerging crime trends and patterns can be identified.

TruckPol was started by Essex Police, and is now supported by 30 industry sponsors. It can be accessed through its Web site or by phone on "0700 TruckPol".

 

• Transport operators buying their goods in transit insurance through broker Peter Lole & Co now qualify for discounts if they sign up to Eurowatch. It says the amount will vary according to individual circumstances and the frequency of cross-border travel.