5 Security Tips to Keep Your Vehicles & Cargo Safe

Establishing a formal company policy to prevent clandestine entry is critical. Your policy should clearly define employee responsibilities and outline the actions to take if a driver suspects someone may be concealed within their vehicle.

Ensure procedures are in place to provide training for all stakeholders, ensuring everyone understands the risks, their responsibilities and how to keep detailed records of security checks they must maintain.

Regular policy reviews and refresher training should be built into your operation. This isn’t a box-ticking exercise—it’s about keeping your operations efficient and your people safe.

Guidance offered by UK Border Force, encourages and assists drivers to adopt effective working practices to prevent clandestine entry. A summary of the guidance is below:

Drivers must:

• Secure the vehicle when it is first loaded.
• Check for signs of unauthorised access at loading.
• Maintain a checklist of all security checks throughout the journey

Useful Resources

• Read the full guidance at Gov.uk
• Border Force video on how to carry out the checks and remain compliant https://youtu.be/twL6TkBRhZw
• There is no bias as regards the type of vehicles targeted by clandestines – See our diagram below, highlighting the relevant areas to check.

Where possible become members of the UK Border Force Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme. Membership is free and can reduce any penalties by up to 50%—provided you are able to demonstrate consistent compliance and high vehicle security standards.

Stay informed: The scheme is likely to change as priorities shift and the issues surrounding clandestine entrants change. It’s important to stay up to date with the latest legislation and update company policies and procedures as necessary.

Monitoring driver checks is also vital to ensure that these are being carried out correctly – ensuring load integrity and security of vehicles is being maintained at all times.

Prevention is always better than reaction. Installing appropriate and effective security solutions not only protects your load and your business — it protects your drivers too. Maple offers Europe’s largest range of truck and trailer security solutions to suit all operational needs and budgets.

Our solutions include:

• Turtle Lock – A heavy-duty, entry-level lock that secures swing and barn doors directly to the trailer frame.
• Integritas – An integrated electronic seal and heavy-duty trailer locking system, with high security slamlock action, suitable for both Shutter Door and Barndoors, ambient and re-frigerated body vehicles
• FreightLock – Maples’ user friendly, high security, locking application, operated pneumatically for the ultimate in reliability. FreightLock is mounted internally for enhanced security and protection and can be tailored to meet the specification of any vehicle or door configuration. (Compatible with Barndoor or Shutter Door Applications)

Vehicles are most vulnerable when parked in unlit, unsecured roadside parking areas. Route planning is vital, so suitable, secure truck stops can be incorporated into every driver’s schedule.

Consideration should also be given to the introduction of no stop zones, within a specified distance of high-risk areas (even for fuel). Contingency plans should also always be put in place, in case operations change and routes or ports become inaccessible or difficult to negotiate.

Encourage drivers to consider parking on the opposite side of the carriageway, which may give the impression that vehicles are heading away from a port.

To discuss your requirements further, contact Maple direct.