Vehicle rental has joined a growing list of sectors directly targeted by terrorists. 2017 saw a spate of terrorist attacks where rental vehicles were used as ramming weapons to cause death and destruction in the UK and around the world. The BVRLA and its members work with authorities, policymakers and insurers to improve training and operating procedures and instil confidence in the sector so that rental companies can keep providing accessible and affordable mobility services.
What is the Rental Vehicle Security Scheme?
The Department for Transport has launched a Rental Vehicle Security Scheme which aims to increase counter-terrorism awareness and preparedness across the sector and mitigate the risk of rental vehicles being used as weapons in acts of terror.
The voluntary scheme, which is open to all UK vehicle hire firms offering short-term rental to consumers, has been developed in collaboration with the BVRLA and other key industry partners. It requires participating firms to meet a set of requirements outlined in a 10-point Code of Practice, including a commitment to:
1. Lawfully share data and information with law enforcement
2. Train staff to identify and report suspicious behaviour
3. Appoint a recognised security contact
4. Only accept electronic payment for all or part of the transaction
Although not the mandatory scheme that the BVRLA initially called for, the association believes that it scheme will demonstrate participating firms’ commitment to taking security seriously and will help in the fight against terrorism.
Members can find out more and register for the scheme via the gov.uk website.
What is Action Counter Terrorism?
In March 2017, National Counter Terrorism Policing launched ACT (Action Counters Terrorism), a new branding platform which incorporates all of our counter-terrorism external campaigns to warn, inform and reassure the public.
Counter Terrorism Policing is a collaboration of UK police forces working alongside the UK intelligence agencies to protect the public and our national infrastructure.
In March 2018, the second phase of ACT was launched reinforcing the message that Communities defeat terrorism. With the enduring terrorist threat, it is now more important than ever that everyone plays their part in tackling terrorism. That’s why Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) is encouraging communities across the country to help the police tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity.
If you suspect it, report it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT or in an emergency dial 999.
Some examples of suspicious activity or behaviour could potentially include:
- Hiring large vehicles or similar for no obvious reasons
- Buying or storing a large amount of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons
- Taking notes or photos of security arrangements, or inspecting CCTV cameras in an unusual way
- Looking at extremist material, including on the so-called Dark Web, or sharing and creating content that promotes or glorifies terrorism.
- Someone receiving deliveries for unusual items bought online.
- Embracing or actively promoting hateful ideas or an extremist ideology.
- Possessing firearms or other weapons or showing an interest in obtaining them
- Holding passports or other documents in different names, for no obvious reasons
- Anyone who goes away travelling for long periods of time but is vague about where
- Someone carrying out suspicious or unusual bank transactions
You are not wasting our time, and no call or click will be ignored. What you tell us is treated in the strictest confidence and is thoroughly researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.
Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report. Remember, trust your instincts and ACT.
The ACT campaign provides a number of resources which members can use on their websites or social media to show they support the campaign, these are provided below:
Posters for use in rental branches
What training is available to help support staff?
We want to help those operating in the vehicle sector to mitigate the risk of an extremist attack. Therefore, we have put together a resource and guidance pack on the importance of effective customer qualification procedures.
The BVRLA has developed a bespoke counter-terrorism awareness training resource tailored specifically for those operating in daily rental of cars and vans. Free to download by both members and other businesses operating daily rental fleets, this course is designed to raise awareness of effective customer qualification procedures and instil confidence in this vital area.
Cross sector safety and security bulletins from National Counter Terrorism Policing
These bulletins are issued regularly by the National Counter Terrorism Policing to ensure key messages are circulated and staff are aware of risks.
How can I share information on the ACT campaign?
There are a number of resources avaliable:
