Car hire firms ‘should make identity checks’

MOTORISTS should be subject to identity checks when hiring vehicles to tackle the use of lorries and vans in attacks, a former terror laws watchdog has said.

Lord Carlile of Berriew, who was independent reviewer of terrorism legislation from 2001 to 2011, warned it is “all too easy for terrorist events using vehicles to occur”.

He said: “Vehicle hire contracts should be subject to identification checks, and hire company industry bodies should be subject to a code of practice to protect against vehicle hire to criminals of all kinds.”

Lord Carlile also said planning authorities should be obliged to ensure that appropriate barriers exist to protect pedestrianised areas.