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General
Advice
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Road
Freight Crime is a significant problem
for the haulage and logistics industry.
Over 3,500 trucks were reported stolen
in 2004 and half were never recovered.
Professional
criminals will travel the length and breadth
of the UK target vehicles and their loads.
Stolen vehicles cost operators in terms of
disruption, lost profits, loss of client
faith and potential loss of subsequent contracts.
Additional uninsured losses further add to
the misery of a stolen vehicle and for smaller
companies, the loss of a vehicle and/or goods
could spell financial ruin. A stolen truck
can be stripped in minutes.
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[Theives
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There
is much that you can do to prevent thefts
and reduce the chance of being a victim of
crime.
Key points;
- Do not leave
keys in the ignition. Nearly
half of stolen vehicles are stolen
when keys are left in them. Make sure
your staff always lock the vehicle
and take the keys with them as a matter
of policy. It takes a few seconds for
a thief to drive your vehicle away
and if keys are left in the ignition,
your insurance will almost certainly
be invalidated. Click here to
see which vehicles are most commonly
stolen.
- Secure
unattended trailers. Loaded
trailers left in industrial estates
overnight and at weekends are a tempting
target for criminals who will bring
their own tractor unit, hitch up
and drive away with it.
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Further comprehensive
advice is available from the following;
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Click here to
access the Home Office Steer Clear of Truck
Theft security advice for drivers.
Click here to
access the Sold Secure web site with information
on approved security products.
Click here to
access the International Road Transport Union
security guidelines.
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>> Physical Security
>> Key Security
>>
Alarms
>> Immobilisers
>> Tracking/telematics
>> Trailers |
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Physical
Security
Vehicle security has improved
dramatically in recent years. The MIRRC now
conducts a security
rating on all new vehicles. Click
here to
find out how secure your vehicle is.
Physical security can offer a simple but
effective means of deterrence but any system
will only be as good as its weakest point.
Automated systems are preferable to manual
systems and the appropriate type will depend
on the type of vehicle, risk to load and
vehicle and operational requirements of the
user.
Security
equipment should comply with BS 6803 Part
3, BS AU 209 (appropriate parts) or any
other pertinent British or International
Standard. BS 6803 Part 3 is a code of practice
for the protection of vehicles and goods
in transit. It has 4 classifications of levels
of protection, depending on the risk and
includes requirements such as noise level
for alarms and back-up battery facilities.
BS AU 209 comprises several parts concerning
vehicle security equipment such as locking
and dead locking systems for driving compartments.
Contact your local
police Crime Reduction/Prevention Officer
for free advice.
Vehicle parts such as wheels and tyres,
batteries, bumpers and lights are commonly
stolen from vehicles parked up for the weekend.
Make sure that parts are locked securely
onto the vehicle, and marked clearly with
irremovable paint.
Windows and doors can be protected with
bars or grilles and reinforced plates to
prevent drilling. Deadlocks should be fitted
for additional security. A poor padlock is
easy to cut with bolt cutters. Ensure that
padlocks are approved by
independent organisations such as Sold Secure
and meet European Standards BS EN 12320.
Consider slam locks on loading compartment
doors which secure the vehicle automatically
when the driver closes the door.
Don't forget to fit cab
tilt locks to prevent thieves accessing the
engine and vehicle electronics/immobilisation
system. |
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Key
Security |
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Modern
vehicles, particularly those fitted with
immobilisers are almost impossible to steal
without ignition keys. Make sure that ignition
keys are not left in unattended vehicles
as it takes only few seconds for a thief
to jump in and drive away.
When vehicles
are parked in the depot overnight and at
weekends, make sure that keys are locked
away and are not identifiable, for example
with the registration or fleet number on
the fob. |
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Alarms
Alarms
serve two purposes; to provide audible and
visible deterrent and if fitted in conjunction
with immobilisation system, to prevent or
delay theft. Other features include SMS alerts
in case of activation and motion detectors.
When deciding on what kind of alarm system
to install, it's crucial to make sure your
insurance company stipulates clearly the
standard and level of security which meets
its requirements. BS 6803 Part 3 relates
specifically to goods vehicles and can be
obtained from the British Standards Institute
by clicking here .
Alarms can be passive or active and can incorporate
a number of different methods to detect attempts
to steal the vehicle or load. Remember, it
is vital that the system is fitted professionally
by an installer accredited by the Vehicle
Security Installation Board or Security
Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) |
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Immobilisers
Immobilisation can by physical
or electronic. Physical immobilisation includes
highly visible wheel clamps, fuel valve,
steering and kingpin locks and other means
of physically preventing or deterring theft.
Virtually all insurer approved alarm systems
will now incorporate some form of electronic
immobilisation such as ignition or starter
motor inhibitors as part of the overall security
system. When deciding what type of system
is best for you, remember an automatic system
eliminates any chance of the driver forgetting
to activate it. S ecurity equipment should
comply with BS 6803 Part 3, BS AU 209 (appropriate
parts) or any other pertinent British or
International Standard . Contact your local
police Crime Reduction/Prevention Officer
for free advice. |
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Tracking/telematics
A tracking device on its
own will not stop a vehicle being stolen
but may allow a stolen vehicle to be tracked
and recovered. Modern tracking devices use
a mix of GPS, GSM and RFID technology and
can be mounted overtly or covertly, with
tracking support and 24/7 monitoring provided
by a number of private Systems Operating
Centres which must comply with BS 5750/ISO9000.
Many devices also incorporate fleet management
benefits to allow for better management of
fleets.
Click here to
access the MIRRC advice on Cat 5 after theft
systems for vehicle recovery
Click here to
access the Home Office Scientific Development
Branch Guidance on Police Policy on stolen
vehicle tracking. |
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Trailers
Trailers
are particularly vulnerable to theft and
laden or not, they present an easy opportunity
for criminals to steal. There are currently
at least 26,000 outstanding stolen trailers
in circulation. Don't let yours be added
to that list.
Trailers can be immobilised
with king pin locks, mechanical locks
on the landing legs, or air line locks.
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Curtain
sided vehicles provide many benefits for
loading/unloading but are vulnerable to attack
when parked up for the night. Several products
are available to resist ‘curtain slash' thefts.
Contact TruckPol for details.
Consider roof markings to
assist police in recovering your trailer
if it is stolen. Click here for
Home Office Scientific Development Branch
guidance. |
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