G4S protects drivers and reduces incidents with SureCam

OVERVIEW

G4S is the world’s leading global, integrated security company specialising in the delivery of security and related services across six continents. The company knows that logistics involves much more than getting goods from one location to another. They work to safeguard the welfare and prosperity of millions of people worldwide – helping to create safer and better environments in which people live and work. G4S is passionate about working safely and takes great care to protect employees and customers from harm. One example is the implementation of connected vehicle cameras to the Patrol & Response fleet.

THE CHALLENGE

Although G4S Patrol & Response vehicles already had tracking devices, the company saw a potential benefit from being alerted to incidents with video evidence. Being on the road 24/7, the Patrol & Response vehicles can do over 75,000 miles a year. Because the drivers normally travel alone, G4S believes they have a duty of care to ensure their well-being. Vehicle damage rates were also higher than the rest of the G4S business, so there was room for improvement.

G4S had a rigorous incident reporting procedure in place working with one of the control rooms or line manager. This process would include a still photo of the event which added value to the report but did not offer the same impact as immediate HD video footage from the scene. The video footage has not only proved extremely useful to G4S but also the third-party claims and accident management companies who use the footage to proactively manage and control the incident from the scene.

THE SOLUTION

G4S needed a supplier who would work with them to understand their needs. G4S is different from other fleets because:

• • • The driver may be sent to a location where an alarm has just activated – they need to be able to see what the officer saw if there is an incident.
    • Most journeys are covered outside normal working hours, so G4S needed reliable cameras.
    • A high proportion of their mileage is covered in the dark. The quality of recordings in the dark was a key reason G4S chose SureCam.

 

SureCam worked with G4S to install the dual-camera system across its fleet. The camera devices were customised to enable G4S to gain the maximum benefit, with a focus on high-quality video footage and adjusted trigger levels for incident reporting.

DRIVER REACTION

As soon as the cameras were installed SureCam and G4S adopted an education exercise to ensure that the drivers understood the benefits of the cameras and how they protect them and enhance incident reporting. Effectively the introduction of new technology required consultation and explanation.

“From the beginning, we made it clear to the drivers that we are looking to implement a system that protects them,” a representative from G4S said. “We are looking to improve their safety in the case of incidents such as road rage or cash for crash. Safer drivers tend to have fewer accidents, reduce wear and tear on the vehicles, and drive down lower emissions.”

G4S and Surecam have worked together to make it clear that the connected vehicle cameras are primarily being put in place to ensure the safety of our workforce, providing evidence in the case of an incident. Whilst there have been some concerns from drivers about the devices spying on them, the roll-out has included the production of documentation to brief the drivers on what the cameras do and don’t record permanently, together with an open explanation of why they are being put in place. We have made it clear that the cameras are there to help both the drivers and the G4S business.

“First impressions always count – the devices did what we wanted as soon as the trial units were installed.” Andrew Williams, G4S Head of Fleet Services (UK & IRE) 

RESULTS

To properly test the concept, the cameras were trialled in an area with one of the highest incident rates. The vans involved in the trial with SureCam have seen a reduction in both the number of incidents and their severity. Unexplained damage has almost disappeared.

Most officers have seen the positive side of being protected whilst they are driving alone, with the ability to record video evidence of incidents both whilst driving and when on customer premises.