Les Bonner

Humberside Police have adopted a groundbreaking international scheme to offer crime prevention surgeries to truck drivers using the region’s motorway network.

The inaugural ‘Stammtisch’ takes place on the Wednesday 04 November at the Ulceby Truck Stop on the A1077/A160 junction, from 9am.

Traffic officers will be inviting truck drivers to give their views on a range of subjects that directly affect them.

‘Stammtisch’ aims to bring the same level of neighbourhood policing to the trucking community that is offered to residents at local police surgeries, only with a more targeted subject matter.

The simple concept has two well-qualified officers, knowledgeable in commercial vehicle legislation - such as drivers’ hours and use regulations, set up an events vehicle in truck parks at service areas used by the Road Haulage Community.

Officers deliver intelligence bulletins warning of specific threats of lorry load thefts, offenders’ descriptions, vehicles used and their methods of operating to raise awareness. Drivers often ask about points of law specific to their industry and officers can carry out impromptu training or offer advice and guidance, all in strict confidence.

Drivers of heavy goods vehicles account for almost 25% of the total users of British Roads Network, travelling across the whole of the UK, Europe and beyond. Intelligence suggests that against the current economic climate, some unscrupulous operators are exerting pressure on drivers to breach driving regulations and use un-roadworthy vehicles or face unemployment.

Sergeant Chris Hood, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “Stammtisch events have been running across the UK for some time and are proving to be an effective means of communication where truck drivers can speak to the police about issues that affect them.

“We also visit known truck stops and areas where truck drivers park to make sure that they are safe and secure overnight. We leave leaflets on their cabs so that they know we are actively patrolling the area.”

The word ‘Stammtisch’ loosely translates as ‘a regular get-together or meeting’. In 2000, it was applied to a truckers surgery arranged by German traffic police to give truck drivers the opportunity to speak, in confidence, to police on a range of relevant topics that affect their everyday working life.

Stammtisch events are currently being held in the Metropolitan, Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Merseyside force areas amongst others and the Road Haulage Association supports the initiative.

NS Fritz (North Sea Freight Intelligence Transport Solutions)

Gary Clarke of Humberside Police, commented: “NS FRITS is the perfect opportunity for Humberside police to address European wide issues that affect the Humber region. By sharing our expertise with the nine different partners we can help UK drivers stay safe and efficient at home and abroad, by lowering accidents and crime”.

NS FRITS is aimed at giving drivers information that will make their journeys more efficient, safer, and less disruptive to local traffic. Made up of partners from across the North Sea Region, NS FRITS has experts from transport manufacturing, crime reduction, policing, education and communications technology on board. Over the next year, a device that will be used in drivers’ cabs will be developed to tell drivers about everything from congestion zones and road works, to secure parking areas and dangerous weather conditions.

In addition to Humberside Police, NS FRITS partners include the University of Hull Logistics Institute, People United Against Crime, AVANTI Communications Ltd, The Netherlands National Police Agency, Volvo Technology Corporation, Bremen Senator for Education and Science and ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service).

NS Fritz proposes a more efficient management of freight movement throughout the North Sea Region. Ultimately, the project seeks to develop an electronic communications system in a series of languages for North Sea regional drivers. Once completed, the technology should provide live in-cab communications to drivers about the region or country they are about to enter.

Effective traffic management should help to improve journey times as drivers are forewarned of road works, traffic disruptions and local driving conditions. It aims to reduce accidents as drivers will be alerted about poor weather conditions and local driving laws. If successful, NS Fritz also proposes to improve protection for lone workers by providing information about crime hotspots, information about secure car parks and alerts of relevant criminal activity.

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