In the last year, there's been a notable increase in aggressive incidents targeting commercial fleet drivers, both from thieves and the general public. This issue was the focus of a recent event by SureCam and PeopleSafe, where experts in fleet management and safety gathered to discuss strategies for driver and lone worker protection.

Lee Jackson of the Association of Fleet Professionals reported more frequent attacks, especially in high-risk areas such as Greater London with people often targeting vehicles and high-end equipment. Mark Ryder from PeopleSafe also noted a significant rise in road rage incidents, leading to harassment of commercial fleet drivers during their routine duties.

Philip Read, Head of Safety, Health, Risk & Resilience at G4S added: “While serious incidents within our health and patient transport services, as well as elsewhere in the business, are often sporadic, they are on the rise and can represent a significant threat to our drivers and passengers. The safety of our staff and patients is paramount, and with many of our drivers single-crewed and working autonomously, so our challenge is how we address this issue and provide the level of lone worker protection needed?”

The panel focused on the need for cultural and organizational shifts in the fleet sector to improve lone worker safety. They emphasized the importance of risk assessment, understanding threats, and developing effective safety plans. Key strategies identified included sharing experiences, reporting hazards, and conducting safety training.