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14th May 2009, Page 40
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Truck crime is on the rise as the recession continues to bite, so what can be done to make sure drivers are safe when they are out on the road or parked up for the night? CM asks security experts how they would go about safeguarding their vehicles and loads.

Words: Sharon Clancy

A survey by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) revealed that one in six truck drivers has been subjected to some form of attack in the past five years. in 60% of these attacks, the main motive was the vehicle and its cargo; 40% of the attacks were directed at the drivers and their personal belongings. Also, just over 40% of attacks took place in truck parks.

The latest statistics from TruckPol, the national intelligence unit that forms part of the national ACP0 Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, which collates and disseminates statistical data and intelligence on road freight crime within the UK, shows vehicle crime is on the rise again.

In the first three months of 2009, there were 405 thefts of vehicles, 370 thefts from vehicles, 94 attempted thefts, two cases of deception and 15 hijacks. TruckPol warns that areas near the M62 and the Al are the worst, including service areas.

So what can drivers do to protect themselves? As with most things to do with safety, it is about identifying what the risks might be and taking steps to deter would-be thieves. Ti-uckPol has four key tips which we've listed below.

Cab specifications

Cab security starts with vehicle specification. How easy a truck is to steal or break into will affect its insurance rating. When you are buying a truck, check out the star rating given to the vehicle by the motor insurance companies' research body, Thatcham. Mercedes-Benz claims the current highest rating of seven stars (out of a possible 10), but the majority have just four.

Thatcham is shortly to announce a new five-star rating system for truck security. Mike Briggs, head of vehicle security, explains: "It brings trucks into line with security ratings for cars and vans, and will give buyers a clearer idea on how well the vehicle is protected against being broken into or stolen."

Engine immobilisers are pretty much standard these days, as is central locking, but there can be big differences between manufacturers and models when it comes to alarms and locks, so make sure you do your homework.

Iveco, for example, points out that anticipating all the potential circumstances in which a driver might suffer from personal attack and guarding against them is nigh-on impossible.

DAF, however, does offer some possible solutions. Its CF and XF models have an internal switch that locks and unlocks the passenger door, so the driver can control access to the passenger side of the vehicle. The system is designed so that it only unlocks the driver's door. This will protect the driver from being the victim of unauthorised access through the passenger door. LF models with optional central locking also get this feature.

Further OAF security options include night-time door deadlocks and an alarm system that meets Thatcham H1 security standards, and which can be extended to cover cargo protection on the bodywork.

Volvo's anti-theft system allows drivers to lock their truck and switch on the alarm with the remote control before leaving the vehicle to take a break. The alarm can also be set when the driver is in the cab in order to warn him of attempted entry. If that does happen, then a 105dB(A) siren will sound.

Lock yourself in

Key advice from all the crime prevention experts is that is it essential to protect yourself from unauthorised cab entry, whether you have stopped at the lights or are asleep in the cab.

The Lokgard door lock was designed for this purpose: and it fits over the truck manufacturer's original door handle and lock barrel. No drilling is involved and it comes with three keys; it can also be left in place while you are driving.

This is certainly a popular addition with drivers on the TruckNet UK web forum. One user says: -It's nice to be able to leave the truck knowing that it'll take more than 10 seconds to get into it." Another praised how easy it was to use, saying it took just seconds to fit.

Priced at £155, Lokgard is manufactured by security products group ViperGuard, which bought the original Protekdor company.

Sales manager Nick Blake warns against the low-cost homemade solution favoured by some drivers. "They fasten a ratchet-strap between the nearand off-side doors when sleeping in their cabs," reports Blake, "While this will slow down someone trying to break in, it will also slow down the driver if he needs to get out of the cab in an emergency."

DAF's Night Lock is designed so that drivers can get out quickly if they need to. The lock fits XF105 sleeper cabs and comprises a mechanical lock mounted on the cabin sidewall with a pin of hardened steel that slides into the armrest of the door, in which the necessary reinforcements are already factory-installed. To exit the cab, the driver presses a red button, which immediately disengages the lock.

As a deterrent to thieves, DAF provides a sticker for the door handle to warn intruders the lock is fitted.

"You will never deter a professional, determined thief," admits Expresslock's Tim Munslow. "But beefing up the lock can make the 'casual' thief, who is armed with just a screwdriver, think twice."

The problem, he argues, is that truck cabs have a gap between the door and the frame, which smaller locking devices don't cover properly, "This makes it easy for thieves to circumvent them with a crowbar," he adds. "Our Toughlock Deadlock secures the door in the frame and it has a stainless-steel pin that only a hacksaw will get through."

Some drivers like to add extra security to any loads they are carrying with an additional rear door bolt. TruckNet UK users also recommend the Bulldog lorry door lock or container door lock, which both cost about £80 and are sold by Saunderson Security.

If you carry a lot of valuables in the cab, consider investing in a strongbox for all your valuables. Viperguard, for example, offers the Sentribox.

Gas alarms

Drivers seem less convinced about the benefits of a gas alarm. We've found just one available, r from Waeco, and it is priced about £60. Viperguard admits that sales tend to rise when there are reports in the press of gas attacks on drivers. The device plugs in to the cigarette lighter and gives both an audible and visual warning if it detects gas. Waeco says it responds to "all conventional anaesthetic gases'?

Vehicle tracking

Some vehicle tracking systems can be fitted with a panic button, which the driver presses in an emergency. A message is sent either to a 24-hour response centre, the traffic office or an out-of-hours mobile phone.

In this same vein, truck-makers' telematics systems often include a panic button. For example, MAN offers a remote version, which the driver wears on their belt and can activate within 100 yards of the truck.This might be useful it say, the driver has left the cab to take a break and returns to find thieves are trying to break in or steal the load.

Volvo has teamed up with Securitas to offer emergency assistance based on the Dynafleet telematics system. The driver presses an alarm button that sends a signal to the Securitas call centre, which then contacts the driver's company or the police. The driver can also use his mobile phone to call the security centre.

Chris Evans, UK sales manager for Transport Information Systems, says: "Use of this system should provide an opportunity for the transport company to negotiate lower insurance premiums and to add value to their business."

The level of police response to a theft or hijack is influenced by the type of tracking system fitted to the vehicle. Thatcham category 5-rated systems, for example, ensure an automatic police response.

Even without panic buttons, tracking systems automatically confer extra security, because managers know where vehicles are and where they are supposed to be. For example, geofences set around delivery and collection points alert managers when vehicles arrive and depart, and allow the office to investigate whether a vehicle is late because of traffic or because the truck or trailer has been stolen.

With high-value loads, it is not uncommon to place a narrow geofence around the entire route, so there is no delay in notification if the vehicle deviates from this.

Vehicles do not have to be tracked to enhance driver security. Software developer Romex's MyFix tracking software for mobile phones can tell the office if the driver is in a moving vehicle or not.The software sends regular positions back to the TeamFix server, which displays all live and historic information over the 'Internet. Features include pinpoint location mapping, speed, arrival and departure from customer sites.

"MyFix tracks drivers even when they're not in their vehicles, and enables remote and lone worker monitoring that shows the key information required for compliance with duty of care obligations under the Corporate Manslaughter Act," says sales director Jason [night.

Vehicle tracing expert CMS Supatrak offers a similar application called PDATrack. Positions are updated every 60 seconds or so on the web-based SupaTrak mapping system, and there is a range of panic devices that can be programmed with different criteria for activation, communication preference and position. For example, if the driver taps the device three times, it can send a text message to a designated number advising of an emergency situation.

The Mix Telematics FM Protector driver protection systems include a fob with an alarm function that the driver activates to tell the office of an emergency situation has arisen. The system also sends an alert if the vehicle is moved unexpectedly or is towed away.

Telematics specialist Cybit also offers a Dumber of emergency situation systems, including the option of opening a voice channel when the driver hits the panic button in the cab. This allows the receiver of the call to hear what is happening in the cab.

Defensive training

Security experts advise that making drivers aware of potential threats is the key to staying safe and secure. Richard Day & Wilson provides online security awareness courses for drivers, and has helped develop the advice contained on the TruckPol website.

-Any hijack or attempted theft is a frightening situation for a driver, and common sense can easily go out of the window," says partner Kenneth Day. "In these situations, people act impulsively and that could put them in more danger. It is vital not just to co-operate, but to make sure the hijacker knows you are co-operating. You may wish to protect your lorry and your load, but they are insured and replaceable. Your life cannot be replaced."

The courses use video footage and an animated tutor to teach drivers about risk perception and how to minimise danger in a fraught situation."


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