security
Page 61
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Lock them away loaded or empty
by lnsp Roger Sprosen
Crime Prevention Section New Scotland Yard • I make no apology for again mentioning the necessity always to leave goods vehicles overnight in guarded lorry parks. This advice also applies to vehicles left for long periods during the day-time and it is equally important that it should be followed for both loaded and empty vehicles.
The amount of damage that can be caused to unattended empty vehicles left in the street can in many cases be equal to or in excess of the financial loss from theft of loads. Operators must take into account the cost of repair and consequential loss of use of the vehicle.
Unfortunately, vandalism in our cities is on the increase and it is only by careful protection of vulneraole property that damage can be prevented.
The overnight parking facilities provided by transport companies for their own fleets should be adequately fenced and if the parks are not supervised on a 24-hour basis, care must be taken that the gates into the premises together with any associated locking devices are at least as strong as the fence. Keys to such areas should be held by as few people as possible.
The British Standards' Institute has thought it necessary to introduce a British Standard number 1722/63 (Part 9) anti-climb fence and Part 10 for anti-intruder chain link fence. The local police crime prevention officer would be pleased to assist with deciding on the most suitable type of perimeter protection for premises of any kind. Generally speaking, a permanent fence of the metal pallicade type is preferable to fences incorporating chain link material, as while they are considerably cheaper, chain link fences require constant supervision and repair if they are to be maintained in proper order.
If the gates incorporated in the perimeter fencing have to be locked because the premises are unmanned, a padlock with close-shackled fitting and of very high quality should be employed.
Unfortunately no fence is competely unclimbable and if a chain link fence is built it is a simple matter to drive a large vehicle straight through it. The placing of a line of concrete posts at about 4ft intervals projecting at least 3ft from the ground and firmly concreted, preferably joined by either stout steel bars or stout chain, is one way of overcoming this hazard.
The storage of vehicle keys always presents a problem as the consideration of security must be examined together with those of fire safety, but the keys should all be stored in a properly constructed key cabinet which is locked at night and preferably links in with the alarm system fitted to the premises.