Centrad: cameras are key to fighting freight crime
Vehicle CCTV provider Centrad has explained how AI camera technology could help detect and prevent road freight thefts amid rising crime statistics.
Popular consumer items such as alcohol, tobacco, and electricals are among the most frequently stolen goods from vehicles, points out Centrad; and with tackling freight related crime high on the road haulage industry’s agenda, finding ways to combat against organised crime gangs from successfully intercepting and stealing valuable cargo is becoming crucial.
Geoff Cross, managing director of Centrad – which has partnered with some of the industry’s leading names, helping to source, install and retrofit camera solutions onto hundreds of fleets over the years – has advocated for increased adoption of vehicle CCTV camera systems inside HGV trailers to detect and prevent theft, monitor cargo integrity, and provide real-time evidence of any incidents.
Earlier this year, a lorry in Banbury was broken into, and £1.1 million worth of goods were stolen, further highlighting the seriousness of the problem.
Geoff commented: “Freight theft is on the rise and unfortunately these crimes are becoming increasingly difficult to fight against.
“The RHA calling on the government for freight theft to be seen as a specific offence and to impose tougher sentencing is imperative to deter criminals; however, in the interim, there are measures which hauliers can put in place to protect their cargo and reduce the risk of theft.
“The emergence of AI has enabled camera systems to, in real-time, detect suspicious activities and unauthorised access attempts inside a trailer, as well as automatically alert both drivers and operators to potential threats, track the movement of individuals near vehicles, and identify any unusual behaviour around an HGV.
“Essentially, through harnessing AI-powered CCTV cameras, hauliers can significantly enhance the security of their vehicles and cargo, offering a proactive approach to combating incidents of freight crime.”
He continued: “HGV vehicles parked up at night are at their most vulnerable, and in many cases, it only takes criminals mere minutes to gain access therefore security needs to be airtight, and vigilance is imperative.
“AI camera technology gives operators a unique opportunity for drivers and back-office operatives to respond to such solicitous activity as it’s happening, as they’ll be able to clearly see incursions or movements in real-time inside the trailer through live alerts and clear footage – enabling them to react accordingly.
“Drivers can also press a panic activation button which instantly sends out a notification and footage via the portal, triggering a loud alarm that alerts the back-office team to a potential emergency.
“Alongside this, such technology could be also used to identify in real-time the presence of stowaways that attempt at breaking into, and concealing themselves, in the back of lorries with a view to illegally entering the country.”
Last year the previous government introduced harsher fines to both hauliers and drivers caught knowingly or unknowingly transporting stowaways into the country.
Geoff continued: “While tighter controls being imposed by the UK government at French ports, on the Eurostar and Eurotunnel have resulted in a reduction in stowaway cases over the past decade, they still pose a significant risk to both drivers and hauliers.
“AI camera systems have facial recognition capabilities and can alert both drivers and transport operators in real-time if a stowaway is detected entering, or is inside a trailer, allowing them to contact the authorities as a break-in is happening.”
The cameras can be installed inside a trailer, says Geoff, offering a total view along the interior to provide additional security, helping to prevent the potential carriage of clandestine entrants and protect hauliers from heavy fines.
“Tightening security measures is clearly vital in this day and age for hauliers, and with the increasing adoption of AI-powered camera systems, there is a promising pathway to achieving this,” Geoff added.
“As the technology evolves, we believe it will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in the industry’s fight against theft and unauthorised access and become an indispensable tool in reducing incidents of crime in the coming years.”
