Criminals shift away from police focus
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POLICE IN T111.3 West Midlands say that a major new initiative designed to tackle truck crime appears to be changing the areas being targeted by criminals.
Operation Indicate was launched last summer following widespread criticism of the force's response to the theft of trucks,trailers and their loads The stolen property was valued at more than film last year (CM 24 June,2004).
According to the Indicate team of seven specialist officers, fewer offences are now being reported in the traditional truck crime botspot of the Black Country where they are based. Although there has been an upsurge to the north-east of Birmingham, they say truck crime appears to be falling significantly across the region.
Detective Constable Tony Dunn believes the problem is being driven into the neighbouring force areas of Staffordshire and West Mercia.
"Indicate seems to have had a dramatic effect," he says.
Between November and midDecember. 13 out of 27 HGVrelated crimes recorded by Indicate involved drivers leaving vehicles unattended with keys in the ignition.
Contact Operation Indicate at Wecinesbury police station on 0121 626 9121.