A company operating a nationwide delivery service has taken the decision to fit 50 of its delivery vehicles with controversial ‘Vancams’.

City Link has at great cost implemented the cameras on their vans after running a trial that proved hugely successful. For three months a pilot scheme operated at depots around the country and the result was a 100% success. The vans with cameras had no traffic accidents, no reports of health and safety transgressions, no damage to vans and, impressively no loss of parcels.

The vans to be fitted out will have cameras fitted on each door, one in the drivers compartment and one in the cargo hold of the vehicle. The cameras will be switched on when the van is unattended as well as when it is operating, and each van will be observed from the company’s central operations unit at all times. City Link is convinced the security on the vehicles will be enough to deter anyone to tamper with the van or its goods.

City Links head of security, Russell Mannix, believes the cameras will have a twofold effect saying “If a customer tells us that a parcel has not been delivered we can quickly work out what has happened. Vancam will clearly play a significant part in reducing losses and claims. Hopefully it will act as a preventative measure against attacks on drivers.”

The decision to implement the scheme could have been influenced by a recent court case which saw four City Link drivers prosecuted for stealing thousands of pounds worth of goods from their vans.

The implementation of the cameras on the vans could also have a positive effect on the company’s commercial vehicle insurance policy when it comes up for renewal.