There is mounting unease within the road transport sector regarding the risk of diesel theft, says technology specialist Brigade Electronics, as organised criminal gangs look to exploit the high costs caused by fuel price volatility. According to the company’s Global Telematics Lead Engineer, James Tyrrell, these concerns have driven a significant increase in enquiries during the past six months from hauliers seeking anti-theft solutions to combat the growing threat.
“Diesel theft has emerged as a critical concern this year due to an increasing number of incidents both in the UK and mainland Europe,” explains James Tyrrell. “Criminals can quickly drain a tank within a matter of minutes, bypassing existing security measures and stealing hundreds of litres of fuel. This is leaving many hauliers feeling exposed, which has led to them exploring how technology can help to better protect their commercial vehicle operations.”
Rising prices are already placing huge pressures on many hauliers, so any further losses from fuel theft are simply unsustainable. It is not just the cost of the diesel that is putting companies at risk, but also the repair bill for drilled or cut fuel tanks, the impact of vehicle recovery and downtime, and reputational damage that could lead to loss of work. Therefore, there is a huge opportunity to expand or adapt existing technology systems to provide greater levels of protection to vehicles, the drivers and the business itself.
In response to the issue, Brigade Electronics plans to launch a new range of advanced fuel theft detection systems later this year using the latest innovations in AI fleet and video telematics. Working alongside the company’s existing security systems, the devices will take advantage of camera and sensor technologies to quickly identify and alert on any potential criminal activity, providing valuable seconds to take preventative measures.
“We are working closely with hauliers within the marketplace to develop technology that meets precise operational requirements. However, HGV operations will also need to take steps to enhance road transport processes and educate drivers on theft prevention best practice. This integrated approach will reduce the risk of fuel crime in the first instance and then have the means to detect and prevent a theft should a vehicle be targeted,” adds Tyrrell.
