Diesel heist

THE recent wave of thefts from Spanish lorries on French roads has forced the Paris government to take urgent measures.

Specifically, the French gendarmerie has set up the emergency telephone number ’17’ so that hauliers can report lorry theft and police checks can be carried out quickly.

According to sources from Fenadismer, the transport employers’ association, in recent months there has been a considerable increase in theft from lorries on French territory, especially of diesel fuel from vehicle tanks. Hauliers normally fill up with fuel in

Spain (an average of €3,000 worth of fuel) just before crossing the border, as prices are much lower than in the rest of Europe, making them a prime target.

Spanish drivers who are victims of theft on the road, whether of fuel or goods, are being urged to report any theft through the emergency telephone number.

Emergency number 17 connects the caller directly with the National Gendarmerie’s Operations and Intelligence Centre (CORG).

Drivers have been advised to remain with their lorry at the site of the theft to facili­ tate the French authorities’ intervention. By dialling the emergency number 17, a unit will be deployed on the ground for emergency action.

The gendarmerie has units on all motorways and main roads, so it can easily deploy a patrol to the location of the lorry to initiate the first actions and take the driver’s report.

Failing that, the force can indicate the nearest gendarmerie to contact. This procedure is essential when it comes to making a claim with any insurance company, as reported by a national news outlet.