Your recent feature on the cargo theft dilemma in the UK (35,000 pints of stolen Guinness, 950 wheels of pilfered cheese: can the UK’s cargo theft crisis be stopped?, 31 March) highlights the insights of Mike Dawber, a prominent investigator in cargo crime, alongside Michael Yarwood, the managing director for loss prevention at TT Club, a global cargo insurance provider. The article mentions a collective vision for a secure truck stop, complete with perimeter fencing, comprehensive CCTV surveillance, and round-the-clock security personnel.

This envisioned security solution was initially proposed in the early 1970s when the government released a design specification that included the aforementioned security features, along with additional enhancements, aimed at creating a nationwide network of such facilities.

The proposed design featured security fencing complemented by a semicircular “dry ditch” to deter stolen vehicles from breaching the perimeter. Vehicles would enter and exit through “airlock” double gates, safeguarded by rising plate anti-ram barriers to prevent unauthorized tailgating, all monitored from a control tower designed with bulletproof glass. The facility was also intended to offer fuel services, dining options, and amenities for drivers, including overnight accommodations to avoid the need for resting in their vehicles.