Police in North Yorkshire are stepping up patrols along the A1M corridor and the A19 as part of an operation to tackle rising cargo thefts.
Op Cargo, which formally launched this week, has seen North Yorkshire Police team up with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), as well as bordering forces including West Yorkshire, in a bid to tackle crime in what is currently the top region for cargo thefts in the UK.
The operation has seen increased patrols in key cargo theft hot spots, and the police will also work with hauliers, drivers and motorway service providers to improve the situation.
Read more
- West Yorkshire top area for cargo thefts in 2018, says BSI report
- Nottinghamshire named UK’s crime hotspot during first quarter, as cargo theft climbs nationally
- UK tops poll of cargo thefts across Europe and the Middle East in September
This week a series of driver engagement days at Coneygarth services on the A1M have taken place as part of the initative.
Inspector Chris Galley, who is running Op Cargo, said that in the two weeks since the operation began a number of arrests for cargo theft had been made.
He added: "Proactive and highly visible police patrols continue through the day and through the night to prevent, dissuade and catch criminals coming to North Yorkshire to commit crime and this is having an impact.”
He also urged hauliers to ensure their drivers stay in well-lit, monitored places such as Coneygarth services, which he said rarely suffered from cargo theft thanks to its "well thought through and planned out security measures".
