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Fresh warnings over truck-theft hot spot
Page 12
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Drivers travelling through the Black Country are being told to look out for thieves. Guy Sheppard reports.
A SPATE OF truck thefts in the West Midlands has prompted police to issue a fresh alert about driving through the region. Last week (3-7 July) there were seven reported incidents; 29 were reported in June.
Andy Round. intelligence ofiicer for Operation Indicate. which was set up in 2004 to combat truck crime in the region, says:"It's been going on since the beginning of June. There's no apparent reason for it. The most popular method is to try to get drivers to stop by getting the rear doors open beforehand and then flashing them from a car behind to stop."
This method was used to steal around £25,000 worth of alcopops beingdeliveredby Herts-based Bill Chippington Haulage. Operations director Will Chippington says the company regularly warns staff about the dangers of stopping in such situations. "He shouldn't have got out, hut he was obviously worried that the door was going to swing and hit another vehicle."
He adds that a similar method was used to stop another Chi ppington driver when he was travelling through the region four months ago.
Round says such thefts seem to take place mainly in the Black Country. "Our advice is don't get out; wait until you can get out in a secure environment. If in doubt, ring 999 and we will come out to you."