A haulage company has stopped illegal stowaways on their lorries coming from the continent by installing SmartWitness CCTV cameras and by giving a clear visual warning that they are in use.
Drivers for Brian Yeardley Continental, based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, say they have seen a big fall in illegal immigrants trying to break into the trailers of their HGVs when they have stopped or are coming into ports since the installation of the cameras.
The company owns 43 lorries and eight company cars which all now carry the recording devices and they clearly display warning stickers that CCTV is in operation.
Managing director Kevin Hopper decided to install the cameras after becoming increasingly concerned about increasing numbers of illegal immigrants trying to stowaway in his lorries, especially at ports in France like Calais.
He said: “Last year we did over 5,000 crossing both ways across the English Channel and in 2012 we had a total of five immigrants found in our trailers. Since installing the cameras we haven’t had any incidents.
“We take serious measures to ensure our vehicles are protected and sealed and our drivers are fully trained and aware of the immigrant problems in Calais.”
The Home Office can impose a fine of up to £2,000 for each person found travelling illegally to the UK inside their vehicles, whether the driver is aware of their presence or not.
And since spending just £7,000 on the cameras in May the haulage company’s numbers of stowaways in 2013 was reduced to nil and theirinsurance bill went down from £135,000 to around £110,000.
Hopper added: “Since fitting SmartWitness and fitting the stickers to the trucks and on the rear doors of our trailers where the immigrants normally make entry we have not had any incidents and I do apportion a lot of this down to SmartWitness.
“Our trucks spend 90% of their lives working in Europe – mainly Spain, Portugal France and Italy. We are constantly trying to ensure our drivers’ safety and welfare is protected and stowaways are prevented from getting on board. Our drivers are often away for up to eight weeks at a time and it gives me a peace of mind knowing that when they are parked up, the cameras are there to help protect them from stowaways and thieves.
And he added: “Our vehicles are used to transport hazardous chemicals all over Europe and so insurers are much happier to know that we are much less likely to have illegal immigrants breaking into the trailers where there are potentially dangerous chemicals. They are much happier knowing that we have installed SmartWitness to prevent this.
“I would have been happy if the bill had gone down by £5,000 but I never expected it would reduce by £25,900. I believe a significant amount of this reduction is down to the cameras.
SmartWitness managing director Simon Marsh said: “We have seen a huge increase in sales to international hauliers wanting to protect their drivers and fleets. Having vehicle CCTV is definitely deterring illegals and hopefully it will make them think twice about risking their lives by trying to gain entry under a truck.
Dramatic photographs of stowaway trying to break into HGVs this week has shocked many in the UK and there have been four deaths at Calais where illegal immigrants were trying to gain access to moving lorries heading for the UK.
SmartWitness prices start at £149 for the standard edition going up to £239 for the professional edition used by the lorry driver in this incident.
It recently launched the KP1, hailed as the ‘world’s most advanced and powerful’ vehicle journey recorder. The system is recommended by major insurers for hauliers, fleet managers and private motorists. It is officially approved by Transport for London.
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