TruckPol facing closure: industry pledges eleventh-hour support through its Fight Freight Crime campaign

Monday 06 February 2012

The Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association, together with leading sector publisher Road Transport Media, are joining forces to help secure the future of TruckPol through the 'Fight Freight Crime, Save TruckPol'' campaign.

Since the withdrawal of government funding in April last year, the national police intelligence unit has been funded entirely by an appreciative and generous private sector. But unless further, urgent funding is found, the writing looks to be on the wall for what is the only resource of its kind dedicated to fighting road freight crime.

The Fight Freight Crime campaign looks to garner support and funding from the road freight sector it represents, to raise funding for TruckPol at a time when organised truck crime is a growing threat.

Theo de Pencier, Chief Executive of FTA, said:

"TruckPol plays a key role in the fight against criminal gangs which target a sector that is both vulnerable and attractive to thieves. The fact that the industry it helps to protect has kept it afloat this last year shows how highly regarded it is. Sadly, without government funding, TruckPol is once again facing closure and it is up to industry to save it at the eleventh hour."

Geoff Dunning, Chief Executive of RHA, said:

"To manage a problem one must have the ability to first measure its true scale. TruckPol provides vital information on such criminal activity and is the only police resource dedicated to collating and disseminating data and intelligence on UK truck crime. To see the demise of this unit would be a catastrophe and would set us back ten years."

It costs approximately £120,000 to fund TruckPol for 12 months. However, in these straightened times the collective pot of private sector funding is still some £30,000 short of the mark and with April fast approaching time is running out.

For further information about supporting the campaign to secure TruckPol's future, contact Chrys Rampley at c.rampley@rha.uk.net.
 

FTA Press Office

01892 552255
press.office@fta.co.uk