By Sue Webber
Copyright scotsman
In doing so I’ve become a fan of Vinted, the brilliant app that allows you to sell your wardrobe items with minimal fuss. I’ve also noticed that some things on sale are effectively brand new, with the tags still attached. Even though Vinted makes it clear the trade of illegal goods is banned, like other digital trading services they can be abused by criminals to offload the products of theft. Such platforms do not just provide a way for shoplifters to get rid of some bits and pieces, but for sophisticated criminal organisations to create significant illicit revenue streams which ultimately harm us all by increasing their costs, be it investing in security or compensating for stolen stock. Their sophistication extends to matching their targets to seasonal trade, so spring sees increased theft of garden equipment and furniture, and now we’re entering the toy and electronic games season in time for Christmas. Determined crooks are targeting trucks, not just stealing vast quantities of goods in one go but putting the drivers at risk too. Drivers by law must take breaks so parks are needed for them to rest, but unless fully secure their trailers can be raided, even while they sleep. Theft from hauliers is now estimated to be worth over £700 million a year and Scottish truckers transporting whisky are particularly vulnerable on cargo on routes through England. The industry isn’t sitting back, but as security at some parks improves the most audacious thieves have even taken to ripping open the sides and removing goods while the trucks are moving, like something from Fast and Furious. But there are nowhere near enough secure lorry parks and to crack down on organised theft the UK Government recently announced a £52.5 million fund for park operators to upgrade facilities with permanent high fences, CCTV, better lighting and more guards. Therefore, a proportionate amount of cash should be available to the SNP Scottish Government for a similar scheme here, but so far, nothing. Last week in the Scottish Parliament I chaired a discussion with haulage representatives organised by Logistics UK, the influential trade association formerly the Freight Transport Association, and it’s clear there is an urgent need for secure facilities in Scotland, particularly on those long main routes through countryside like the A82, the A77 and A75, all badly in need of an upgrade anyway. Even in unsecured service stations or bog standard laybys there often aren’t enough spaces because they are occupied by camper vans, so even without the danger of theft, the lack of modern infrastructure puts drivers at risk of fatigue and driving illegally. It also fails to respect drivers’ dignity, people without whom a crucial sector worth £170 billion a year to the UK economy simply couldn’t function. As a priority, truck stops need to be regarded as essential infrastructure and incorporated into regional development plans, and freight theft needs its own crime code so law agencies understand the scale of the problem. For too long has the SNP put off road investment, but dragging their heels has serious consequences for everyone. And not just more tragedies on the A9.
