sec ur it y
Page 43
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The key to low value load safety
by Insp Roger Sprosen,
Crime Prevention Section, New Scotland Yard,
• It is clear that some operators hauling bulky loads of fairly low value are not taking the precautions they should to prevent theft. Why, for instance, don't they fit steering locks?
. They should remember that a stolen load of tomatoes or potatoes is far more difficult to trace and easier for the thief to sell than even household eouipment like washing machines. With tomatoes at, say, 10p per lb wholesale, the value of 10 tons is £2240 equally to the client, the insurance company and the thief. And 10p for 1 lb of tomatoes is very cheap — a load of fruit presents big, easy profits for the,. thief.
Steering locks fitted as standard on new cars have considerably reduced the number of cars being stolen, and a steering lock on every lorry would certainly reduce the number of truck thefts. A steering lock can be belted to a commercial vehicle's steering column with "shear oft head" bolts. When the key is removed from the steering lock a steel pin automatically locks the steering solid. These locks are very robust and take a lot of removing —and thieves are lazy.
But there is one snag with a steering lock: it only works if the key is removed!
Steering locks and security hardware generally cost money, but money is well spent in the protection of the operator's vehicles and their loads. Drivers must not forget that it takes less than a minute to steal a vehicle and its load and drive it out of sight. So often a truck is stolen because it has been left "for just a minute" with the key in the ignition and possibly the engirre running.
Constable on guard
Drivers become accustomed to hauling high-value loads and when they have one of lesser value tend to relax their vigilance: everyone involved in safeguarding vehicles and loads should be constantly on his guard against loss. The load of fruit and vegetables is probably as valuable to the thief as three times the cash value in easily traceable goods like washing machines.
The most simple security precaution is to remove the ignition key — this will stop quite a few thieves; locking the door of the cab will stop a few more. Fitting a steering lock will stop a lot more: