MAJOR new initiatives to cut car crime, reduce accidents and remove polluting vehicles from Britain's roads have been outlined in the white paper and broadly welcomed by authorities. And the measures are set to benefit fleets which typically operate the cleanest and most secure vehicles, although safety groups and the Government believe companies have major steps to take to improve safety with the wider adoption of driver training.

A three-pronged attack on car crime has been revealed by the Government in the white paper.

Revamp and relaunch the secured car parks scheme, promoted by the Association of Chief Police Officers with the support of the Home Office and administered by the AA. It aims to create a safer parking environment by increasing the number of accredited car parks from 450 to 2,000 by 2000.

Analyse and publish vehicle crime data by make and model of vehicle.

Set targets for manufacturers on the performance of vehicle perimeter security and immobilisation devices.