FRIC Risk Alert: Thefts – Protect the Equipment That Protect Lives

1. Intended Audience

Thefts – Protect the Equipment That Protect Lives

All Member Representatives

2. Summary

We are writing to make you aware of a significant increase in break-ins affecting Fire and Rescue Service premises. Several services have reported incidents involving the theft of equipment from within stations and directly from operational vehicles.

The items taken vary between incidents but include essential operational equipment. These losses not only result in financial impact but may also compromise service readiness and crew safety. It is therefore critical that we collectively strengthen our approach to security and vigilance.

Immediate Actions Required

 We encourage all members to take the following steps without delay:

 

• Security working group - consider setting up a group that meets monthly with key personnel (operational staff, estates team, H&S, insurance) with focus on prevention (controls & mitigations to reduce likelihood and impact of break-ins).
• Review station security measures - check access control systems, CCTV coverage, lighting, and perimeter security to ensure they remain effective and fully operational.
• Secure vehicles at all times - ensure appliances and other operational vehicles are locked and, where possible, parked in secure or monitored locations when not in use.
• Promote vigilance among personnel - remind all staff regularly to remain alert to suspicious behaviour in and around stations, including unfamiliar individuals or vehicles.
• Report incidents promptly - any break-ins, attempted intrusions, or suspicious activity should be reported immediately through established security and intelligence channels.
• Share intelligence - circulate any relevant information that may help identify patterns or prevent further incidents across the sector.

 

 

Additional Security Measures to Consider

In addition to the immediate actions above, services may wish to strengthen their security posture through the following practical measures:

• Property marking and asset tracking - clearly mark equipment and consider the use of tracking devices for high-value or portable items.
• Improved key and access management -  limit access to vehicles and restricted areas to authorised personnel only, with clear accountability for keys and passes.
  Access fobs for stations to be deactivated if not used for 3 months.
• Routine security checks -introduce regular patrols or checks of stations, garages, and surrounding areas, especially during quieter periods.
• Alarm systems and remote monitoring - ensure all alarms are functioning correctly and connected to monitoring services where appropriate.
• Secure storage practice -store portable or high-risk items in locked compartments, cages, or secure rooms when not in use.
• Staff awareness briefings -provide regular reminders and briefings to keep security front of mind for all crews and support staff.
• Vehicle CCTV – consider enabling vehicle CCTV to run when appliances on station.
• Lone working risk assessment updated - for on-call stations bearing in mind actions of criminals and lengths they might go to (including if they were to come face-to-face with a member of staff).
• Door security review and planned improvements/upgrades. Particularly older on-call stations, with more vulnerable lower-spec bay doors and other external doors.
• Air tags on equipment where possible and consider smoke cloak systems for vehicle bays of on-call stations.
• ‘Community events’ - carry out risk assessments for station-based ‘community events’ (e.g. open days, charity car washes etc) in light of having members of the public on site and what is visible, what they are shown etc.
• External Communication - liaise with the Police and agree media news releases.

Working Together

Our collective awareness and prompt action are key to minimizing disruption and maintaining operational resilience across the sector. By sharing intelligence and taking proactive steps, we can reduce the risk of further incidents.

If your service has experienced a similar event recently, or if you hold information that may assist others, please share this so that a coordinated and effective response can be maintained.

Thank you for your continued vigilance and commitment to keeping our people, premises, and equipment safe.