Systems can protect cash
"More could be done to reduce these robberies,” said security consultant Noel O’Connell.
“In situations such as a driver being hijacked, the driver can do what he is supposed to do, obey the instructions from the raiders, while the technology does the work.”
He said systems such as route-deviation would trigger a silent alarm to a control centre, which would then have a number of options.
“If a driver heads off in the wrong direction, within minutes the control centre would know he’s on a different route through satellite tracking.
“They in turn can take action such as alert the gardaí and or shut down the vehicle remotely, either while it’s moving or when it’s stopped.”
Mr O’Connell, who runs a company called Statcom Technology, said there was also a system whereby a safe containing high value or high-risk goods can only be accessed remotely.
“With a remote unlocking system, the driver loads the van and when he arrives at his drop calls the control centre and gives a code word. The control centre can see on the map if the driver is where he is supposed to be and releases the lock .”
He said the whole idea was to try and keep the driver out of the system as much as possible and leave the technology take over.
“If the driver is under duress, say if his family is taken hostage, you don’t know what he is going to do. So you take all the elements away from the driver.”
He said Satcom Technology provides vehicle security systems for the transport of cash, valuables, ammunition, prisoners, forensic evidence, religious artefacts, chemicals and explosives.
He said the systems cost anywhere from E600 to E3,000.
