IP-based CCTV system from Westcountry Security, a part of Chubb, has curbed the theft of diesel from the yard of Devon-based coach and bus company Tally Ho! Coaches.
A spate of thefts of fuel and other commodities from transport depots and yards, often in remote locations, prompted the coach firm to act.
The company had been experiencing fuel theft sporadically for almost two years, with thieves siphoning the diesel from the vehicles, making it therefore difficult to detect. With the recent hike in fuel prices, however, the break-ins were becoming more blatant and costly.
Tally Ho! Coaches contacted Westcountry Security, with whom managing director, Don McIntosh, had worked previously. “I felt they had the right credentials,” he says. “As part of Chubb they have the internationally recognised name behind them, while remaining local specialists, with good knowledge of the local area and people.”
Westcountry proposed IP-based CCTV with long-range infrared external detection where images from the cameras can be monitored remotely via the customer’s laptop or PC, anywhere.
“When an intruder is detected, the yard is lit up like Wembley Stadium,” Don says. “The cameras incorporate high quality lenses that can determine car number plates and intruders’ faces for use in subsequent investigations or court cases.”
Prior to the installation, Don would notify the police of the thefts but without CCTV evidence it was almost impossible to find the culprits. “We have not had any fuel thefts since the new system was installed,” Don adds. “The only incident that has occurred was when a man already known to the police broke in to sleep on one of the coaches!”
Background
Tally Ho! Coaches is one of the largest independent bus and coach operators in South West England with over 75 years experience of coach hire. Chubb is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
