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BVRLA calls for rental sector and government collaboration to tackle vehicle terrorism

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has published a report setting out how the Government and the rental sector can work together to deal with the threat of vehicle terrorism.

Gerry Keaney, chief executive of the BVRLA

Gerry Keaney, chief executive of the BVRLA

Following a spate of terrorist attacks during 2017 where rental vehicles were used as weapons across the UK and the globe, the BVRLA has identified tackling vehicle terrorism a key industry challenge for 2018.

As part of its ongoing work in this area, the association has outlined a series of measures that could help cut down vehicle terrorism while also minimising the impact on the rental industry.

Outlined in a new report produced in association with the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and available for BVRLA members, the recommendations include calling on the UK rental sector to increase the amount of counter-terrorism awareness training and guidance available to staff, and to proactively and visibly publicise support of the ‘ACT (Action Counters Terrorism)’ national counter-terrorism campaign.

The association is also asking the Government to support the idea of an industry-led compulsory national accreditation scheme. This would require all vehicle rental businesses to meet minimum standards in terms of their counter-terrorism security practices and procedures, and would be accredited through existing industry-based structures.

And the association is calling for government support with the rental sector’s work with the insurance sector to provide a fair and workable way of pooling the risk associated with vehicle as a weapon terror attacks.

It’s also urged the Government to avoid any “initiatives that cause undue disruption to businesses or individuals, or that introduce costs that cannot realistically be absorbed by rental operators”.

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “Since 2017, the BVRLA and its members have continued to work closely, and more frequently with counter-terrorism police and policymakers. We are committed to working with different parts of government and law enforcement to debate and develop strategies to help detect and mitigate the risk from terrorism.

“Through effective collaboration, we will develop more effective ways of sharing information, embrace new security technology and will share best practice with other countries and industry sectors.

“Our work is ongoing, and we hope that this report will provide some useful context and insight into the threat we are facing and the ways it can be dealt with.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.