Protect Your Asset

Protect Your Asset

Protection against the theft of the commercial vehicle and its contents, including fuel and protection against misuse of the asset by the driver. 

The aim of any commercial fleet owner in the fight to protect their asset is threefold – to deter, delay and detect.

When it comes to vehicle thefts the statistics are scary.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that in 2017 there were 89,000 vehicles stolen in the UK, an increase of 56% on 2016.

8 out of every 1000 HGVS on the road are stolen every year and only 1 in 8 of those are recovered.

According to the BSI there were 1596 cargo thefts in 2017 with companies losing an estimated £54 million. 

In the case of 82% of LCVs stolen in 2017 the theft happened without the driver’s key.

Perhaps the scariest statistic of all – in May 2017 the BBC published figures obtained from 20 out of 45 police forces in the UK reporting that van burglary had risen by more than two thirds in the past two years.  On average a van is broken into every 23 minutes!

The average truck unit will set you back around £80,000, a skip lorry anywhere between £100-£120,000 and anything with a crane on the back upwards of £140,000.  That’s a lot of money to put at risk. 

Add in the cost of the load, the inconvenience, the inevitable hike in insurance premiums and potential damage to your reputation – the business case for investing to protect your asset is compelling.

There are two aspects to protection.

  1. Protection against the theft of the commercial vehicle or its contents – including fuel 
  2. Protection against misuse of the asset by the driver.

The aim of any commercial fleet owner in the fight to protect their asset is threefold – to deter, delay and detect.

The role of driver training cannot be underestimated. Drivers need to be educated about the security systems fitted in their vehicles and how to use them properly. Then there are the common sense factors such as keeping keys safe, not leaving personal valuables on display and using safe parking places, such as those accredited by the Park Mark scheme.

How do you protect your vehicle from becoming a statistic?

Fir Tree are the experts when it comes to installing equipment that can delay, deter and detect potential criminals.  We offer a wide range of products, that can be installed in any combination,  to suit your requirements and your budget.

Need help or advice?

Telephone: 01440 709579

Telematics and Tracking

Sophisticated technology to detect your vehicle for tracking purposes or in the event of it being stolen

  • Tracker
  • Smart Track

Alarms & Immobilisers

We can either deter, delay and outwit thieves and potentially reduce insurance premiums

  • Thatcham Approved Alarms
  • Self-powered Automatic Alarms
  • Dual Zone Protection Alarms
  • Ghost Alarms
  • Deadlocks
  • RFID Immobilisers

or prevent unauthorised use of your vehicle

  • Self-powered Automatic Alarms
  • Alcohol Locks
  • Ghost Alarms
  • Deadlocks
  • RFID Immobilisers

Cameras and monitoring systems

Deter and detect theft and breaches of company policy, such as use of mobile phone whilst driving

  • In-vehicle surveillance cameras

Communications

Good mobile communications systems facilitate regular contact with drivers

  • Fixed Mobile Phones
  • Interactive Phone Cradles
  • Screens and Tablets

Sensors

The easiest and most cost effective way to help drivers avoid damage to vehicles during difficult manoeuvres. Types of sensor systems include:-

  • Parking Sensors
  • Reversing Sensors
  • Proximity Sensors
  • Blind Spot Detection (BSD) Sensors

Physical Deterrents

Practical improvement measures that can be used to deter, delay and detect theft

  • Slam locks
  • Number plate security screws