FLEETS can play a major part in cracking down on the 'ringing' of stolen vehicles and insurance write-offs by making sure all cars and vans only go to salvage operators recognised by a new trade organisation. The British Vehicle Salvage Federation has been launched as an association to regulate the salvage industry and guard against cowboy operators.

Alan Greenouff, secretary general of the BVSF, said: 'The fleet industry is a major supplier to the salvage industry, but until now it may not have known what happened to vehicles after being scrapped. We are now setting the benchmark for salvage operators, and fleet managers have a moral responsibility to make sure cars leaving fleets for salvage go only to our members.'

Greenouff, formerly motor manager of the Association of British Insurers and now chief executive of the Vehicle Security Installation Board, said that if fleets deal with salvage operators directly they will be able to find out whether they are members, but if not, fleet managers should be able to get the information from their insurance or contract hire company.

Initially the BVSF's policing powers will be limited to paperwork, such as checking accounts, licences and other documents, which by law should be held by salvage operators. Greenouff did, however, state that each member can be visited at any time by an inspector, but there will be no regular timetable. He said: 'Very often the industry itself will know what is happening, and if we find dubious operations then membership will be withdrawn.'