UAE | Crime
Spate of car thefts in UAE prompts recovery vehicle monitoring
The Ministry of Interior has decided to regulate the use of recovery vehicles by setting specific rules for owners of car recovery companies, said a top police official.
- By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:59 April 28, 2008
- Thieves have been getting cars towed away. Picture for illustrative purposes only.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Ajman: The Ministry of Interior has decided to regulate the use of recovery vehicles by setting specific rules for owners of car recovery companies, said a top police official.
Colonel Ali Abdullah Alwan, Ajman Police Chief, said tow vehicles and recovery companies would soon be monitored by police nationwide. Colonel Alwan said thieves are using recovery vehicles in their modus operandi.
They call a recovery vehicle asking them to tow a car from a location.
"The driver tows the car, takes his fees and leaves without questioning if he is doing right or wrong."
Colonel Alwan said the Ministry of Interior is setting rules under which all recovery vehicles in the country will have one unified colour.
Drivers of tow vehicles or their assistants will have to wear a specific uniform. All recovery vehicles will have to be registered with police.
"Before towing any car the recovery driver must obtain a written letter from the owner of the car mentioning details about the car and its owner. If they do not, they will will face punishment and be considered to be aiding the crime," he said.
Colonel Alwan said the driver of a recovery car could be stopped by police and questioned. He said very soon no one would be able to call a recovery driver on the phone to come and pick up a car as there would be specific procedures.
Thieves, he said, are also targeting rented cars.
"They usually rent a car using a fake passport or give the car rental agency a fake passport copy," he said.
Colonel Alwan added that some people have their vehicles stolen after leaving their vehicles with the engine on while they are at a petrol station or go into a supermarket.
Have your say
Do you know anyone who was a victim of car thieves? What happened? Do you think people are careless with rented cars? Why?
Your comments
I totally disagree with the fact that the only time you call a recovery is when you need help in an emergency. So the letter and procedures is not practical. And if I own the car and I can prove it by my license and car registration, that is more than enough,
Ramin
Lahbab,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2008, 14:18
Writing a letter will make things much more complex. It can be repalced by showing the registeration documents.
Mohamed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2008, 14:17
There have also been cases of stealing cars from building parking lots.This is just another easier way.As most buildings dont have CCTV in their parking lots.
Furqan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2008, 12:12
Nice idea but a bit impractical. If you break down under the blazing sun you and the car need to be taken away immediately. Perhaps the rental car companies should form some sort of recovery associations, whereby recovery of their vehicles can only be initiated through an official channel and must be towed to pre-determined location such as their own maintenance workshop.
Rodger
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2008, 11:58
Any law that protects our vehicle against thefts is appreciated.
Homer
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2008, 09:51
I agree that local police should take strict action and put rules that reduce crime in the country.
Qazi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2008, 09:08
Car recovery companies should not be doing police work. Perhaps special procedures are needed only for rented cars. My concern is that it may become difficult to get help from a car recovery company when it's urgently needed. Providing a letter is totally impractical and new procedures need more careful consideration.
Anita
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2008, 08:37
Most vehicle recoveries, I assume, are due to breakdowns. Where is someone supposed to get a letter written when he or she is stuck in the desert?
Manfred
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2008, 07:02
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