| 'Company Vehicle Security' | | | | 5. Have a GPS and a street directory/manual map |
| If your staff use company vehicles in the course | | | | in the car. |
| of their duties; they need to be aware of and | | | | 6. Never ever pick up hitch-hikers. If you have |
| practice some simple security procedures that will | | | | the natural instincts of a good Samaritan, and you |
| help to protect them and company property. | | | | believe that someone may need assistance but |
| Security issues can frequently arise when using a | | | | you feel that the situation has security concerns |
| company vehicle, particularly when stock is being | | | | to yourself, call the emergency number with your |
| carried. | | | | mobile phone. Find a safe place where you can |
| These simple procedures can significantly | | | | watch and record what is happening so that this |
| decrease security incidents, reduce downtime, and | | | | can be given to the relevant authorities. |
| help avoid losses. | | | | 7. When parking anywhere, ensure that you leave |
| Company vehicles usually have sign-age and are | | | | your vehicle under a light or near adequate lighting. |
| therefore easily recognisable as a potential target | | | | If walking to and from the car, ensure that the |
| for criminals. When your employees are carrying | | | | path is well lit all the way. |
| any company property or assets in the vehicle | | | | 8. When walking to the car, always have your |
| such as product, equipment or even intellectual | | | | keys in your hand, and the thumb near the 'horn' |
| property there are a few simple measures to | | | | button - if you have one. If you don't have one, |
| routinely follow: | | | | then consider a personal alarm. |
| 1. Always cover any items that are to remain in | | | | 9. If you think that you are being followed, don't |
| the vehicle and in full view of the windows. And | | | | speed, don't go down lonely dark side streets to |
| this even includes any items belonging to the | | | | avoid the following vehicle, and don't drive home. |
| driver - for example, books, shopping, money, | | | | Drive to your nearest police station, hospital, or |
| sunglasses or shopping bags. The rule is do not | | | | fire station. Stay in your car, sound the horn, and |
| leave anything in view that could be of interest to | | | | call the police (if someone has followed you to |
| anyone. | | | | that location, and you feel that you cannot leave |
| 2. The best advice is to travel with any items of | | | | the car safely) |
| value such as laptops, money, jewellery, | | | | 10. When driving in city streets and built up areas, |
| confidential information and sensitive files where | | | | keep your doors locked and windows closed, |
| they are hidden from view inside the boot or | | | | especially at night and when you stop. |
| trunk. | | | | 11. Never take the same route at exactly the |
| 3. If you have items that need to be removed | | | | same time each day. |
| and put back in at various times or locations, | | | | 12. When driving behind other cars, leave a good |
| keep a log or an inventory of what goes in and | | | | gap between your car and the vehicle ahead. This |
| what goes out. | | | | ensures that you can go around the car if |
| 4. When retrieving items from the vehicle, check | | | | necessary when travelling, or when stopped at |
| out your surroundings first to ensure that no one | | | | lights. Never hem yourself in, always have a way |
| has followed you or is watching you. If someone | | | | out. |
| has just suddenly appeared as you are about to | | | | 13. Keep your car keys separate from other |
| do this it would be wise to lock the vehicle and | | | | keys. If you do lose your car to any car-jacking, |
| wait before getting out until you are sure of their | | | | you won't lose your other keys as well. |
| intent. | | | | 14. When getting out of the car, always 'turn and |
| Car-jacking | | | | face'. This means step from the car and |
| No matter where you live, there are increasing | | | | immediately face outward and towards the rear |
| instances of car-jacking and theft and a company | | | | of the car. Following this basic rule means that |
| vehicle is more likely to be targeted than a | | | | you can gain a quick and thorough impression of |
| private vehicle. The personal safety of an | | | | the area around the car, and it ensures that you |
| employee is paramount and the contents of the | | | | are not getting out with your back to the world |
| vehicle may be of high value. It is vital for | | | | as you get ready to lock the door. The other |
| everyone to understand some of the | | | | advantage is that you can deal with any |
| circumstances as to how this can happen, how to | | | | potentially threatening situation much more |
| prevent it from happening and how to deal with | | | | effectively, as you are physically in a better |
| such a crime. | | | | stance and position. |
| Never assume it will never happen to you! If you | | | | 15. If walking, as you approach, look underneath |
| ignore the potential dangers of car jacking you | | | | you car from a distance, and if possible, look |
| become a more inviting target for thieves than | | | | around your car. Look into your back seats and |
| someone who is aware and takes greater | | | | luggage area before getting in. Go with your 'gut' |
| security precautions. Those people who are | | | | instincts - if in doubt, don't open your car door. |
| security conscious are less likely to become | | | | Walk back and ask for help. |
| victims; they are less fearful and they live their | | | | 16. When in your car close and lock the doors |
| lives with greater confidence. | | | | first, and then do all the preparations for driving. |
| A few basic rules that need to be taken into | | | | If you are a victim of a carjackingo Remain as |
| account | | | | calm as you possibly can. This can be difficult, but |
| 1. Make sure the company car is properly | | | | it will also help calm your family, and the |
| maintained and serviced, the tires have plenty of | | | | attackers.o Show your hands.o Comply and |
| tread, spare tire is serviceable, and you know | | | | cooperate with their requests.o Advise the |
| how to change it. Being stuck on the side of a | | | | perpetrators that you are going to get your |
| road at night waiting for someone to attend can | | | | family out. This must be requested and done |
| be dangerous and frightening. | | | | quickly.o Do not attempt to be a hero. You not |
| 2. Always make sure you have at least half a | | | | only have your own safety but your family's |
| tank of fuel. | | | | safety to consider. |
| 3. Make sure that you have a mobile phone with | | | | Need some help? Foresight Security planning was |
| police and emergency numbers programmed into | | | | created for you. An easy to understand and use |
| the speed dial, and ensure that the phone has a | | | | security advice and consultancy service, which |
| car charger. | | | | also has online security advice via our email or |
| 4. Carry a torch and spare battery in the car. | | | | phone. |