Commercial vehicles are high value vehicles, often containing valuable loads, and as such are liable to being stolen.  Other commercial vehicles such as tippers, light vans, plant and fork lifts are often desirable to criminals also.  This section of the website offers information and advice on security of vehicles and their loads.

Many vehicles are taken from the owners premises, so when considering security for vehicles, it is important to carry out a risk assessment of the premises also.

If there is a Truckwatch scheme in your area, you may wish to consider joining it.

Some Basic Rules

• Use pre-arranged but randomly varied routes so that you don’t develop a recognisable pattern
• Use a variety of busy cafes or services and wherever possible park with your vehicle in sight whilst you take your break
• Do not discuss the loads with other parties, even other drivers
• Overnight stops should be in well lit, reputable lorry parks – you are in far more danger stopping in lay-bys alone
• When parking overnight, try to park with tail lifts or doors backed on to another vehicle protecting you both
• Alternatively, you might wish to park top to tail with another vehicle protecting both diesel tanks from attack/theft
• No matter how short the stop, or even refuelling, ALWAYS lock your vehicle and set any alarms
• Always keep your vehicles keys on your person – NEVER leave them in the cab, in pockets of unattended jackets or on tables
• NEVER pick up hitch hikers
• Take special care of your shipping documents etc – without these anyone who does manage to steal your vehicle will face problems without the official documentation 

Further sources of information

For further information, visit the following site :-http://www.rha.net/public/rha/groups/security/truckwatch.shtml

Secure Overnight Parking for Trucks
http://www.rha.net/public/adviceandinfo/lorry-parking/lorry-parking-main.shtml

General lorry crime prevention advice
http://www.police999.com/crimeprev/lorry1.html

Plant theft
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/prgpdfs/brf117.pdf

Home Officer Commercial Vehicle theft
http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/vehiclecrime24.htm