Anti-theft law hopes dashed
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• The Government ruled out any form of legislation governing vehicle security and theft this week.
The move endangers a recent spate of propoSed legislation including a new bill requiring manufacturers to mark vehicles with a visible vehicle identification number (CM 9-15 June).
The Home Office minister responsible for vehicle security, Charles Wardle, said: "We are not a nanny state. Putting vehicle crime on a statutory basis isn't going to alter anything".
Wardle's comments threaten the success of the latest move on theft, Colchester MP John Whittingdale's private member's bill which would make clearly identifiable VINs mandatory.
7 The minister was speaking at the launch of a certification scheme covering the fitting of security devices, operated by the Vehicle Security Industry Board. The scheme will be extended to commercial vehicles "within a reasonable time", says the board.