Maple launches free border security guide for truck operators
Commercial vehicle security specialist Maple Fleet Services has published a new security guide, aimed at transport operators and drivers who must negotiate border crossings.
The free guide has been produced to assist operators in preventing illegal immigrants from gaining entry to their vehicles – and also details the relevant regulations, outlines what is required of hauliers and drivers, discusses best practice, and looks at additional measures that operators can take to improve the security of their vehicle operations.
“Drivers attacked, supply chain at breaking point, £1billion worth of contaminated food dumped – just a selection of the hard hitting headlines that have been banded about since the ‘Calais crisis’ was thrust into the public domain. Whilst they may seem provocative, they are a fair representation of just how severe the threat has become from illegal immigrants to commercial vehicle operators and their drivers when crossing borders,” said Maple.
“It is estimated that as many as one in two vehicles moving across borders do not have even basic security measures in place to protect their load areas. It is a startling revelation, but is indicative that there is a lack of awareness and understanding surrounding the often perceived taboo subject of illegal immigrants entering vehicles.”
The company pointed to official statistics showing that Border Force and the French authorities prevented more than 39,000 attempts to cross the Channel illegally in 2014/15 – more than double the number prevented the previous year. Fines to hauliers are also up more than 50 per cent during the same period – but what these figures do not show, Maple points out, is the increasingly desperate measures that migrants are taking to illegally enter the UK.
Paul Nunn, marketing manager at Maple, added: “The threat posed by illegal immigrants attempting to access vehicles is not necessarily a new one, however the severity of that threat has significantly intensified. We felt it was important to offer some clarity on the situation and offer guidance of exactly what is expected of carriers who are crossing borders and what can be done to further protect themselves.
“At Maple we are passionate about improving security standards within the commercial vehicle industry, with this guide we hope to assist operators in their own effort to tackle this difficult and often sensitive issue. It has already met with much enthusiasm from a very receptive audience.”
Operators can get their copy of the guide free of charge, by visiting the Maple website.
