BVRLA signs up to government security scheme

The BVRLA has signed an agreement to act as an approved partner for the Government’s Rental Vehicle Security Scheme, meaning each of its 455 members will carry out rigorous checks on customers to mitigate the risk of vehicle terrorism.

This follows a spate of attacks in 2017 where vehicles were used as weapons.

In its 2018 National Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the UK Government outlined its commitment to working with the vehicle rental sector on measures to improve counter-terrorism security and during the past two years, the BVRLA has led the sector’s response. 

BVRLA has been a strong supporter of the scheme and by incorporating the scheme’s requirements into the association’s mandatory Code of Conduct as of 1 January 2020, its 455 rental and commercial vehicle member organisations will automatically be part of the scheme.

Monitoring compliance with the scheme will form part of the association’s existing governance programme, which involves a robust inspection regime to ensure that members adhere to the BVRLA Code of Conduct. A mandatory requirement for membership.

“The BVRLA and its members have always taken security matters seriously and we do not take lightly the trust that the Government is placing upon the BVRLA by agreeing for us to act as an approved partner to help implement their Rental Vehicle Security Scheme,” said BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney (pictured).

“By making this part of our mandatory Code of Conduct, we are taking an industry-led approach, and although it will not be a complete panacea, the scheme will go some way towards further strengthening a culture of security vigilance across the sector and our members support that.

“We will continue to work with government and law enforcement to explore more opportunities to further counter the threat of terrorism.”

Transport Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Baroness Vere said:
“It is critical that businesses across the UK are vigilant when it comes to matters of security, and this vital scheme plays an important part. By making sure rental firms do proper checks on customers, we can reduce the risk of vehicles being used to cause harm. I’d like to thank the sector for everything they are doing.”