KILTECH Vehicle Protection has won approval from the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre at Thatcham for its Lockshield anti-theft system fitted to Ford Transits. Approval for the Transit Lockshield - effectively a steel cage which armours the existing vehicle steering lock preventing it from being smashed - is expected to be followed by Lockshields fitted to other light commercial vehicles including the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Iveco vehicles.

Numerous fleets have fitted Lockshields to their commercial vehicles including British Gas, British Telecom, Northumbrian Water, Southern Electric, Southern Water, London Underground, Norweb, Philip Morris, RJR Nabisco, Kwik-Fit, Hi-Q Tyre Services, EuroDollar, Cowie Rental, Europcar Interrent, Smiths Self Drive, Northgate Motor Holdings and the United Kenning Rental Group.

Meanwhile, Fleet NewsNet understands that the company will shortly announce a deal to supply and fit Lockshields for customers of one of the UK's largest leasing companies, and that Iveco Ford will announce Lockshield is an approved accessory.