This month’s article on Vehicle Security, for those who manage drivers, comes to us from Laura Moran, Managing Director, TVL Group

Vehicle Security – your fleet

With vehicle crime and tool theft an ever-increasing scourge across the country, it has never been more important to maintain best practice when it comes to fleet security. The consequences of these crimes can be hugely damaging. Not only can they result in significant financial losses, but such acts also hamper productivity, disrupt project timelines, and undermine worker morale. Ultimately, the theft of essential tools and damage to vehicles can lead to delays, affecting the completion of tasks and the reputation of the company involved. At TVL Group, we have witnessed first-hand the growing concerns surrounding tool theft and its detrimental effects on businesses of all sizes.

Fleet Operators – how do you combat the thieves?

Recent research has suggested that tools are stolen every 12 minutes in the UK, while the Metropolitan Police recorded a staggering £16.3 million’s worth of stolen tools in just 2023 alone. Such statistics highlight the urgent need for fleet operators to do all they can to combat the thieves.

There are certain things that ALL fleets should be doing, including clear instruction to their drivers, to ensure their vehicles are best protected. These include:

• Have a secure external storage location for vehicles overnight
• Lock doors and shut windows, physically checking they are secure
• Set your alarm/immobiliser and act if you hear the alarm sounding
• Park in a garage or secure area covered by CCTV
• Park with doors against the wall
• Consider upgrading locks/fitting additional protection
• Mark tools with a property marking kit
• Register tools for free at immobilise.com

Secondary alarms – vehicle security

Installing secondary alarms that are not controlled by the central locking mechanisms means that thieves cannot disarm them by accessing the control panel or using a central locking signal. Additional products are also available to secure the load area, components and locks, helping to improve whole vehicle protection. At TVL Group, we have developed a suite of highly-intuitive systems to help keep your vehicles safe. Whether a small-to-medium business, or a huge national fleet, our products are specifically designed to thwart even the most determined of criminals. You can get more information here.

The physical location of the vehicle should not be overlooked, as well, both overnight and on the job. Parking your vehicle in a locked garage adds additional security and hides the vehicle from prying eyes. If that is not an option, your drivers should aim for somewhere well lit, with CCTV or heavy foot traffic. Don’t forget to pay attention during the loading and unloading process. Many drivers think vehicles are more likely to be targeted when left unattended, but this isn’t always the case. During loading and unloading, the vehicle should be secured each time you walk away, even if that makes the process take a bit longer. This includes stops for material pickups and meals. If you keep tools or materials on the outside of your vehicle, it is critical these are secured to the vehicle or moved inside during transit or if you are leaving your vehicle, for a job or for the day. A secure cage or box with a sturdy close lock can be a worthwhile addition to mitigate risk and add extra safe storage for tools large and small.

Internal security is no less important. Vehicles should be emptied of expensive tools overnight or if not necessary for a job, and stored in a safe location. If this isn’t possible, investing in a locked storage box secured to the inside of the vehicle keeps tools more secure and out of sight, which is critical as thieves tend to target vehicles that are an obvious prize with tools or personal items left clearly in view through the windows.

Identification if your property – make it easier

If the worst case happens and you do suffer from a theft, some of these items may eventually be recovered by police. However it is next to impossible to return them to their owners or prove stolen status without means of identification. This is why marking your tools is so important. We suggest using an engraver, permanent marker, DNA kit, forensic marker or gloss paint to add the company name, or individual initials in multiple places on each tool.

This visual signal of ownership ensures that tools can be returned if found, while also acting as a deterrent to theft in the first place. Registering property to Immobilise, a police-accessible, free service, makes it more difficult for tools to be resold, and assists in returning assets that have been recovered. Members of the public, including second hand traders, can access the site for a small fee to ensure products are not stolen before purchasing.

Similarly, some manufacturers have their own electronic registry. Services like these help to reduce the sale of stolen goods, as well as return property to its rightful owner. As standard, crime should always be reported to police as soon as possible. Forensics can be missed if a vehicle is moved or contaminated prior to examination. Reporting not only improves the likelihood for tool recovery, but also informs statistics that guide budgeting and resources allocated for this issue.

We would also recommend using our online community, Tell TVL. By sharing your story on the online platform, you’ll give others an early heads-up on new methods to guard against. Plus, you’ll provide police with more detailed information to help in the fight against vehicle crime. All data is securely gathered, collated and shared with police to support national efforts to crack down on van crime. In addition, registered users will be able to get anonymised data reports highlighting crime hotspots and receive targeted crime prevention advice based on trends in entry methods so drivers and fleet operators can be alert to all potential risks.