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28th january 1993
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

jim Maple's obsession with commercial vehicle security has driven him to write a book on the subject. He says he could ake your hair curl with the stories he can relate about lorry thefts.

Over the past two or three years the theft of commercial vehicles has become an epidemic. The number of trucks disappearing is huge and truck theft has become a highly organised professional crime.

But in all its campaigns, the Home Office concentrates only on car thefts, says Maple.The cost of thefts from, and of, lorries puts other vehicle thefts in the shade. Last year, he points out, a well-known British insurer for goods in transit made a profit of only £1,100 on premiums of more than £13.5 million because of the enormous number of claims and losses. Many insurance companies will not now consider insuring commercial vehicles and their loads unless the appropriate security is fitted.

Maple, senior partner of Stockport-based Maple Commercial Vehicle Security Systems, is a regular lecturer on security to the police, the Home Office and insurance companies. He has also been designing, manufacturing and developing a range of security devices since 1974.

Among the current crop of products offered by Maple are air brake valves which, he claims, have a proven record in preventing the theft of LGVs, especially tippers; Freightlock, an air operated automatic slam lock for rear roller shutter doors, especially designed for fast multi-drop operations; microprocessor controlled alarm systems with a variety of software including automatic delay entry/exit and automatic anti-hijack; and Loadlocker, a new highsecurity mechanical slam lock for barn doors.

None of the devices is car-derived, all have been exclusively designed for CVs and all can be fitted on new vehicles or retrofitted.

Maple believes it is important that security devices are fitted as after-market products rather than supplied as standard by the manufacturer. "The devices will then all be fitted in different ways and in different places," he points out And, while no security device can guarantee the truck will not be stolen: "Security can buy time and hassle the thief so he does not get away with what he wants," he suggests.

Submarine captain-turned-inventor Jack Bagley has developed a family of eight vehicle security devices with one—the Taiter Delta—specifically aimed at the CV market. The invention, which blocks the vehicle's exhaust preventing the engine from starting, was originally designed for cars but NFC subsidiary BRS heard about it and wanted to test it. An electronic processor controls a valve about the size of a calculator battery which open and closes in the exhaust system. The cost will be around £200, including fitting.

"It is not a DIY job," Bagley believes, "it needs precision welding. But we will give training and accredit CV fitting centres in the same way as we do for the car market If the thief succeeded in cutting the device away from the exhaust pipe he would then be faced with having to cobble together a repair, which would take time, or drive away with a noisy, smokey exhaust which would probably attract more attention that an alarm," says Paul Brooks, security manager for BRS.

"This device offers a good level of thief resistance for a reasonable price. It is now being toughened up for use on CVs and we intend to test it in February" He is excited about the new device, he admits. "We have been suffering badly from thefts over the past few months. Our rental fleet is fully alarmed but thieves are now disregarding these and driving away with them still on."

Birmingham-based owner-driver Richard Larman has invented a security measure which is available at the end of the month and designed specifically for CVs over 7.5 tonnes although it will also be of use on some items of plant and machinery. The device will apply the brakes and stop the vehicle moving, explains Larman, but he is reluctant to go into more detail. "There is nothing like it on the market. It is simple and cost effective with the basic valve likely to retail at around £90 (ex-VAT). Any competent mechanic will be able to fit it and it is non electrical so it cannot malfunction and cannot be hot-wired," he says. "I don't want to say any more than that because I want to sell it only to bona fide operators. I don't want to publicise it too widely in case the wrong people get to hear about it!"

Larman's invention—which has no trade name at present can be fitted in various places on the vehicle. Once on the chassis and painted it will look like any other part of the truck, he says. But once it is activated it needs a mechanical movement to de-activate it. It is a third or fourth item of protection for vehicles, particularly when parked up, and it is another hurdle for the thief.

Simba Security Systems has a range of microprocessor alarms, including anti-hijack systems which react to personal attack. It also offers airbrake locks, diesel fuel locks and digital electronic immobilisers, which are available separately or in combination. The anti-theft device produced by Chorley-based M I Diesel is a mechanical device which cuts off the supply of fuel to the vehicle via a key.

ULTRASONIC Selmar National Fleetfit, of Maldon, Essex, has developed an auto/remote ultrasonic alarm which protects interior space and glass areas by ultrasonic sound waves, immobilises the engine starter and sounds a 120dB siren. The company also offers independent and non-independent trailer alarms, a lock box for rear doors and a monitored anti-tamper circuit to protect alarm system wiring.

Tritec Distribution's VTA (Vehicle Theft Alarm) tells the driver if his truck or van is being broken into via a pager unit even though he may be up to two kilometres away. As Tritec's David Adams explains: "If your vehicle's being tampered with or stolen you want to know it's happening—not in the morning!" The VTA system is available in fixed or portable versions, the latter being battery powered and rechargeable via a mains adaptor or the cigarette lighter socket. The ignition key triggered fixed system can have a variety of sensors from door switches to ultra-sound to detect a break-in. It sends a signal to the pager indicating attacks on one or two zones—say a cab and the load area. The portable model has ultra-sound sensors.

The pager can have a two-colour LED display which stays lit after a break-in so if the driver doesn't hear the bleeper he'll still know an attack is in progress. According to Adams, one of the benefits of the VTA is that it can be operated silently, not alerting the thief.

Securicor's Datatrak is an integrated realtime fleet management and security system which the company says has already saved operators millions of pounds by instantly locating stolen vehicles and preventing hijackings. Powered by the vehicle' s battery, Datatrak's Locator 2 software records the last reported position so the location of a parked vehicle is known and, even if the equipment is found and disabled, the control room will be alerted.

Halls Auto Electrical offers the Lazer electronic immobiliser which will cut up to three circuits. The system arms the moment the driver opens his door.

Luton-based Corbeille makes personalised microchip voice alarms which can be activated at a decibel level to suit the client to protect either the vehicle load or cabin.

Romatic's Timelock immobiliscr allows the vehicle to be started and driven for a set time—around 15 seconds—before it is immobilised. The advantage of this system, says the company, is that a thief might be tempted to wreck or set fire to the vehicle if he finds he cannot move it. If he is allowed to drive the truck from its secluded place it is more likely he will just walk away from the vehicle when it stops.

Manchester-based Harris Security Systems has developed an automatic vehicle alarm system which needs no operation from the driver. The system is controlled by a passive infra-red sensor in a continuous search mode while the driver is in the cab. When the driver leaves the alarm is activated. On re-entry a warning buzzer sounds for five seconds to give the driver time to insert the ignition key and switch to search mode. If this is not done an electronic siren is sounded.

Carwood's MED anti-theft device is not another alarm system, says the company. The device intervenes on the fuel flow to the injection pump and controls the pump inlet, preventing unauthorised starting and running of the engine.

Robert Watkins, a BRS technician, has designed a new steering lock which will beat even the most determined thief, he says. Based at BRS's Merthyr Tydfil workshop, Watkins has developed the Charlotte anti theft lock mechanism—a simple, low-cost mechanical device with an internal security system which will only allow the steering to operate when the ignition key is used.The device has been tested on a BRS Daf 38tonner but Watkins is now looking for a manufacturer to take on production. "So far the development costs have all come out of my own pocket," says Watkins. Retrofitting the device is expected to cost less than £100.

Many opportunist thieves could be tempted to try their luck because vehicles are parked in easily accessible exposed transport yards with little or no security. Wiltshirebased Alert Systems lighting-linked intelligent security systems are ideal for sites used for vehicle storage and can be leased for as little as £10 per week, says spokesman Paul Mesnard. "The system has sensors which detect intruders as they reach protected areas, switching on high powered floodlights. These alone will scare off most unwanted visitors," says Mesnard. "But, if they decide to persist, there are further stages of deterrent including a loud verbal warning announcing the activation of the surveillance system, flashing floodlights which call attention to the situation and disorientate the intruder followed, finally, by an alarm siren and blue strobe light. This is usually enough for most people," says Mesnard.

E] by Barbara Millar


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