Fuel card news

Haulage firms warned over 'slash and grab' gangs

Published: 11/01/2012

UK haulage firms using fuel cards to enjoy savings on fuel costs, could find their profits are being slashed by gangs cutting into the side of their containers to steal goods.

Fleet vehicles taking advantage of savings from fuel cards such as the BP Bunker Card, have been warned to watch out for 'slash and grab' raids on their vehicles, which could serious dent operating profits.

Gangs who have been labelled 'pirates of the road' have been driving vans adjacent to haulage trucks, cutting holes in the lorry curtains and jumping aboard to raid the vehicle.

These audacious raids could end up costing the haulage industry millions, with the damage to the vehicle alone priced at around £1,000 to repair.

Detective Sergeant Sue Coutts called on motorists and haulage drivers to stay vigilant on UK roads and motorways in the coming months, in a bid to avoid further thefts.

"There is no legitimate reason for somebody to cut their own side door into a truck, so we would ask anybody who spots one to report it to us," she said.