Iveco fit anti-theft laser technology to van, truck and bus range

All Iveco vehicles, from 3.2 tonne Daily panel vans through to 44 tonne Stralis tractor units, are to be fitted with the latest vehicle glass and component security etching, marking and registration systems by Retainagroup. The new security systems are also being rolled out across all vehicles sold in the UK by Irisbus, Iveco’s passenger transport division.

Iveco will security mark the windows and major components of all vans, trucks and buses as original equipment and register vehicle and owner details on the International Security Register (ISR).

David Burke, Iveco UK’s Product Director, said: “Commercial vehicle and component crime remains an issue for road transport operators in the UK and Iveco is determined to help the industry tackle the problem.”

Thefts occur only when the thief considers there to be little or no likelihood of being caught and prosecuted, so the visible and permanent marking of vehicle glass and other major components with a unique code and the ISR 24-hour contact telephone number, is a powerful deterrent.

An Iveco vehicle marked and registered with Retainagroup is 55 per cent less likely to be stolen than an unmarked one. In addition, by providing an independent cross check against other vehicle details such as the registration number, VIN and, uniquely, codes for audio systems, keys and locking wheel nuts, the system is effective in being able to quickly detect if a vehicle has been cloned. In fact, the chances of recovery can be up to 72 per cent better if a stolen vehicle is marked and registered as the system makes a vehicle much harder and riskier to sell – even if it is broken up.

Vehicles are being marked and registered by Iveco distributors as part of the PDI process. Trucks, vans and buses have windscreens and side windows etched using stencils and special marking fluid, while components are marked with laser cut, anti-tamper labels that are difficult to remove and which leave a UV footprint of the code and ‘phone number even if removal is successful.

The changing nature of vehicle crime means overt marking is now preferred by police forces in the UK and The Association of Chief Police Officers’ Vehicle Crime Intelligence Unit as it benefits law enforcement and the detection of stolen vehicles at the roadside by aiding identification when stolen vehicles are broken up or containerised. This is especially true when registration, engine and vehicle identification numbers (VIN) have been removed or changed.

Vehicle and owner details are recorded on the Iveco database within the LPS1224 accredited ISR. A 24/7 manned ISR contact line provides police, members of the public, dealers, operators and drivers with an all year round, immediate verification service for vehicle identity. All enquiries are also checked against the Police National Computer stolen vehicle file.

Retainagroup is the country’s leading manufacturer and supplier of vehicle glass and component security etching, marking and registration systems, with details of more than 10 million vehicles on the ISR. Its marking and registration system is provided as original equipment by 14 manufacturers including Alfa Romeo and Fiat.