Western Sydney tow truck company war leads to NSW police intervention

A burgeoning turf war between tow truck companies in Sydney’s west has spurred police into early action.

A burgeoning turf war between tow truck companies in Sydney’s west has spurred police into early action as one industry source warned the violence “could get worse before it gets better”.

While tensions haven’t yet soared to the levels seen during the heights of the infamous ‘towie wars’ of the late 1980s and ’90s when trucks were firebombed and drivers were bashed, concern is significant enough for police and the NSW government “to get on the front foot” in order to quell any further violence.

A burnt out tow truck in 2012 during a previous “towie war”.

Incidents have included an alleged assault and a tow truck being run off the road by a competitor, while an industry source told The Daily Telegraph “a couple of blokes have got a bit of a whack to the head” while competing at car accident sites.

BIKIE INFLUENCE

A source working in the area said the influence of bikie gangs had increased in recent years, exacerbating already existing tensions regarding larger towing firms getting the majority of work due to having contracts with major insurance companies.

“The drama is two or three companies across Sydney that have all the insurance companies’ work and that’s why in the next few years you’d see a tow truck war,” the source said. “There’s only so much work and the only way small companies are going to survive is getting back out there and putting it back in the faces of those big companies.”

A car is towed away after a multi-car crash last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

He added a recent compliance crackdown launched by NSW Police and Fair Trading had looked to “nip in the bud” any escalating tension between companies.

“A lot of (smaller) companies are biker-orientated behind the scenes, it’s become a bit more prominent in the last five to six years.

“The government is saying at the moment if you’re going to misbehave we’re going to pull you in … but it could get worse before it gets better.”

CRACKING DOWN

Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said NSW Fair Trading and police had launched a compliance crackdown in response to the turf war, which included sending notices to 35 trucks from Blacktown, Mt Druitt and Penrith to present for inspection.

Police identified issues relating to work diaries and vehicle defects and NSW Transport issued 23 minor and two major defects for mechanical issues. “We have strong laws to regulate this industry and we won’t hesitate to use them,” Mr Anderson said. “These inspections are a warning to any tow truck company or driver thinking of engaging in anti-social or criminal behaviour that we are watching and will call them in if we have to. The party’s over.”

A car is towed away after crashing into a house in Ramsgate. Picture: Steve Tyson

Mount Druitt Detective ­Inspector Paul Tickner ­confirmed reports a vehicle had been run off the road and a driver had been allegedly assaulted, prompting the action.

“The idea is to get on the front foot for this,” he said.

“(The incidents) certainly wasn’t anything like the late ’80s or ’90s — it was a number of little incidents.

“If there is any further escalation, we won’t be afraid of taking the front foot again.”