THE Home Office has called on the fleet industry to continue to work with the police and public to help the Government achieve a 30% reduction in vehicle crime over the next five years. Speaking at the presentation of the 1999 British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association Security Awards, Home Office minister Paul Boateng commended the association for playing a major part in cutting car crime by 26% in the five years to April 1998.

'It could not have been brought about without the industry's provisions,' said Boateng. 'It's not going to be easy to achieve the target for the next five years, but we believe we can reach it precisely because of initiatives like the BVRLA Security Awards. I thank the BVRLA for giving this issue the profile it deserves.'Association president Freddie Aldous said the BVRLA would keep the spotlight on vehicle security.