THE fleet industry is to play a key role in the Government's fight to cut the UK's annual £3 billion vehicle crime bill by 30% over the next five years. Ford's director of fleet operations Mike Wear has been appointed chairman of the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team, the task force which will be drawing together experience from the Government, police, and motor and insurance industries.

He said: 'I am looking forward to the challenge of helping reduce vehicle crime in Britain. This is an important initiative that needs the full support of the industry. VCRAT has unveiled a 14-point plan to drive down vehicle crime. This includes initiatives: to promote secured car parks; to secure and regulate the supply of number plates; to tackle the 'ringing' or 'cloning' of stolen vehicles by addressing administrative procedures at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency; to improve standards of vehicle locks and glass; and to introduce visible vehicle identification numbers and window etching.