RoadHawk - Towergate Press Release
POLICE WELCOME INSURANCE EXPERTS’ ANTI-CRIME INITIATIVE
Police in Telford have welcomed a new camera initiative launched by local insurance experts aimed at cracking down on crimes involving heavy goods lorries.
Telford-based haulage insurance specialists Towergate have been working with technology companies and insurers on innovative ways of beating fraud scams aimed at the haulage industry – and are now offering recording cameras to help stop the crimes.
Towergate marketing manager Nicky Spencer said: “Figures released by the freight intelligence unit Truckpol revealed that lorry crime almost doubled from 2007 to 2008.
“Haulage firms are a juicy target for organised crime, especially in areas with a concentration of HGVs and good motorway links as they are ideal for quick getaways.
“Insurance fraud costs the UK economy up to £1 billion a year with an average loss per incident of £25,000 with hauliers picking up these costs through increased insurance premiums.
“Recent weeks saw the ringleader of a multi-million pound ‘cash for crash’ scam jailed for four years with 24 other co-conspirators awaiting sentence and insurers are working closely with the police to stamp out such fraud.
“Towergate is determined to do all in its power to stop this kind of crime and is now offering fully funded accident recording cameras for all clients operating one to five trucks over 7.5T.”
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards from West Mercia Police, who is based in Telford, said: “We are supportive of any initiative or campaign that helps protect innocent motorists against those individuals intent on criminality of any sort.
“We therefore believe this initiative is an excellent idea and we would always support and encourage any innovative projects that can provide evidence to protect innocent motorists from the distress, inconvenience and financial problems that this type of fraud can cause.
“If anyone has any evidence of motor insurance fraud, whether carried out by motorists or insurance agents, they can report this to Crimestoppers – an independent charity who will deal with the information anonymously.”
The ‘Roadhawk’ camera, supplied by DCS Systems Ltd attaches to the windscreen or cab roof and draws power from an electrical port or direct from the ignition coil of the vehicle.
“The system records and stores data for any sudden ‘shock’ movements a vehicle is subjected to and saves this footage to an SD card within the camera itself,” explains Nicky.
“By plugging the SD card into a computer, Roadhawk will give the exact time and location of any incident as well as displaying video footage of the view through the windscreen and the speed at which a vehicle was travelling.
“This makes Roadhawk an indisputable recorded witness in insurance claims, including any ‘crash for cash’ incidents.
“This technology will prove invaluable in the defence of contentious claims involving their truck policyholders – too many insurance claims following road traffic accidents are settled against commercial vehicle operators simply because of an inability to supply reliable evidence that the professional driver was driving correctly.”
Larry Smith, Managing Director of Towergate Risk Solutions, Telford , says: “As a risk management led organisation we are at the forefront of implementing new initiatives to help our clients reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime and better manage their insurance premium.”
Towergate are advising operators with one to five vehicles over 7.5 t to contact them on 0844 892 1434 to obtain further information on funded forward facing cameras.
For further information please contact: Nicky Spencer, Marketing Manager 01952 298622 |
