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| Stretch limos 'front for crime' | Stretch limos 'front for crime' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Some stretch limousine businesses in the UK are acting as a front for organised crime, senior police officers have told BBC News. | Some stretch limousine businesses in the UK are acting as a front for organised crime, senior police officers have told BBC News. |
| In the first UK-wide operation targeting limousines, police uncovered crimes including drug dealing, money laundering and car ringing. | In the first UK-wide operation targeting limousines, police uncovered crimes including drug dealing, money laundering and car ringing. |
| More than 20 forces across the UK have been targeting the unregulated industry over the past month. | More than 20 forces across the UK have been targeting the unregulated industry over the past month. |
| Some of the limousines were also found to be unsafe. | Some of the limousines were also found to be unsafe. |
| Chief Supt Geraint Anwel, chairman of the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum - which led the operation - said: "Our concerns are that with every passing day the possibility of these vehicles falling apart increases significantly. | Chief Supt Geraint Anwel, chairman of the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum - which led the operation - said: "Our concerns are that with every passing day the possibility of these vehicles falling apart increases significantly. |
| We have seen, on a number of occasions, some pretty unsavoury people driving or inside these vehicles Chief Supt Geraint Anwel | |
| "It won't be long before we see the contents of these vehicles being spilt out onto one of our roads." | "It won't be long before we see the contents of these vehicles being spilt out onto one of our roads." |
| Drivers were not subject to normal Criminal Record Bureau checks, he said. | Drivers were not subject to normal Criminal Record Bureau checks, he said. |
| "We have seen, on a number of occasions, some pretty unsavoury people driving or inside these vehicles who wouldn't normally be in a position where they'd be able to be with young children in party situations." | |
| The National Limousine Association - set up to bring some regulation to the industry - says it knows the industry has been infiltrated by people who are using it for illegal purposes. | The National Limousine Association - set up to bring some regulation to the industry - says it knows the industry has been infiltrated by people who are using it for illegal purposes. |
| The association says it wants the illegality to stop so that legal, reputable companies can get on with their job. | The association says it wants the illegality to stop so that legal, reputable companies can get on with their job. |