May 2000: ORGANISED crime is posing a growing problem for European fleets, particularly short-term rental companies. New figures from the European Car and Truck Rental Association (ECATRA) show a major increase in vehicle theft over the past two years in Italy, Belgium and Spain.

These worrying statistics have prompted Europol, the international police force, to establish a committee to tackle organised car crime gangs. ECATRA is also reactivating its own security committee to help its member organisations combat car crime. The association has called on its members to supply relevant crime statistics so that ECATRA can support Europol.