Freight Transporters to receive no police support for load theft resulting from negligence

Freights transporters and logistics providers that do nothing to prevent crime will no longer be able to count on the support of the police and legal authorities. Reported in today's AD newspaper, this was the outcome of an initiative set up by the National Officer for Transport Crime, Olav Beckers, of the Public Prosecution Service.

From this spring, the limited investigative capacity will be used to assist logistics providers and freight transporters that do make an effort to deter criminals.

Load theft and slashed canvases continue to be a expensive problem for the industry, according to Beckers. Results are being achieved in the fight against transport crime, but according to the Public Prosecution Service the transport companies and logistics providers should bear more of the responsibility.

Fighting it head-on

"We just have limited investigative capacity. That's why the crime should be fought head-on. Businesses that can demonstrate they have their affairs in order will soon be given priority in investigations," said Beckers.

Requirements: the top five

A list of 'top five' requirements has been drawn that logistics providers and freight transporters must comply with to be eligible for the support of the police and legal authorities, reported the AD today.

The top five:      

1.     Valuable loads must be transported in sealed 'freight cabinets' and no longer placed behind canvass.

2.     A GPS and tracking system must be used.

3.     Staff must be subject to better screening.

4.     Drivers must park their trucks in safe locations at night.

5.     Companies must also coordinate their planning, so that trucks are not parked on site the day before their valuable contents are unloaded.