security Hijack charades
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by Inspector K. W. Norman,
Crime Prevention Section, New Scotland Yard.
• It is often said by those having a closer association with the road haulage industry than I, that a large number supposed hijack attacks are mere charades carried out by the driver and a team of villains. Some of those drivers have got away with it, many have not. Some have even been foolish enough to take part after a promise of big money to be paid after the stolen goods have been sold.
A driver facing temptation should remember that he will be obliged to give an account of being overpowered, bundled into a van and driven off. On his evidence, therefore, the thieves are guilty of robbery. The moment one of the thieves is caught he will be most anxious to tell of the driver's involvement in order that he is charged with theft and not with robbery. When the difference amounts to a few years on the sentence he receives, loyalty to an accomplice is of no account.
The Road Haulage Association offers a substantial reward for information leading to the conviction of persons for thefts, or attempted thefts, or lorries belonging to members of the Association, or their loads. Even a suspicion of a future attempt at theft could lead to a reward. An approach made by
a hijack team or, for that matter, by a legitimate business man requesting delivery of any goods stolen during the normal course of duties, should be reported promptly to police who will always make every effort to safeguard the source of information.
In a previous article, I put forward suggestions with a view to strengthening the drivers' cab to withstand a determined assault by hijackers. However, if left undisturbed, thieves will eventually overcome the best defences, it is therefore essential that there should be a means of summoning assistance in the event of attack. This usually consists of, or includes, a vehicle alarm system which includes a hijack button in its circuitry. Any alarm system can be built to the particular requirements of the operator.
In the system which I prefer, actuation of the hijack button causes the audible alarm, preferably self-powered, to sound. Provided nothing further happens at other points of the alarm system, the driver is able to re-set the alarm and stop the audible signal by means of a key switch or code dial.
If, on the other hand, while the audible signal is sounding an entry is attempted, it will lock on and the fuel cut-off valve will close to immobilize the engine. Alternatively, activation of the hijack circuitry can result in a built-in delay for a few minutes. The latter method is designed to encourage a driver to activate the hijack circuitry without the thieves being aware that this has been done. In this way the driver, having been bundled into a waiting van, is being conveyed away from the scene and out of the way when the target vehicle alarm comes into operation.