New, High-Value Secure Transport Service Launched to Address Issue of Underinsurance in Jewellery Sector
UK Protection Ltd, the UK’s leading provider of premium manned guarding and specialist risk management services, has announced its entry into the high-value goods transport sector with the launch of a new, premium armoured transport service insured by market leader TH March.
Providing jewellery customers with cutting-edge secure consignment transportation, the service addresses the issue of underinsurance that exists in the sector by matching consignment cover to the value of the goods in transit.
In a sector where the UK jewellery market is set to jump in value from £4.2 billion in 2025 to £9.95 billion by 2033, and where increasingly high-value consignments are forecast, underinsurance risks unrecoverable customer losses that could easily run into millions of pounds, jeopardising the future of jewellery businesses.
The new custom-built fleet of unmarked B4-rated armoured vans has been engineered to withstand pistol-calibre ballistic threats. Accompanied by escort vehicles and specialist security personnel, the new service puts protection, discretion, and intelligence-led transport at the centre of its security solution, delivering total accountability at every stage of its consignment movements.
Andy Fairbanks, former police officer and Group CEO of UK Protection Ltd, explains: “Too often security vans are underinsured, under protected and driven by staff with little understanding of how organised criminals operate. Vans may have security glass, but few are bulletproofed, and their drivers know it. This means that their first line of defence is weak and flawed.
“That’s why we’ve built our new secure, high-value armoured transport service from the ground-up, combining the UK’s highest security-rated vehicles with our intelligence-led approach to the protection and transport of high-value assets.
“Our enhanced DBS vetted crews – drawn from police, military and security backgrounds – are each trained in threat assessment, defensive driving, secure loading and unloading procedures, and emergency protocols. This means they have the level of composure, procedural discipline, and quick thinking that’s essential when handling high-value consignments in high-stress environments. Sadly, this is all too often lacking in standard security transport providers.”
Enhanced by advanced technology, closed-loop secure communications, industry-leading protocol, and escort personnel, UK Protection’s service includes:
· Pre-movement planning
· MaxOptra route intelligence
· Real-time GPS tracking
· Encrypted communications
· 24/7 control room oversight
· CVIT (Cash and Valuables in Transit) and SIA (Security Industry Authority) licensed crews
Andy Fairbanks explains: “Clients deserve more than a logistics vehicle and a licence. They deserve a security partner that has planned for the threat, built the right vehicles, deployed the right people, and embedded premium technology and protocols at every stage. That’s why we have the backing of the market’s leading jewellery insurance provider.”
Simon Dawe, Managing Director of TH March, commented: “We are delighted to support Andy and UK Protection in arranging the specialist insurance cover needed to launch this exciting venture. At TH March, we understand the importance of tailored solutions and expert guidance, helping businesses secure the confidence they need to grow. We look forward to supporting UK Protection as the project continues to develop and succeed in the years ahead.”
Fairbanks adds: “As criminal intelligence networks become more sophisticated – and as the market for high-value goods continues to grow in the UK – discreet, professional and fully accountable transport is no longer a premium preference. It is a risk management requirement.”
In addition to diamonds, precious stones, high-end jewellery and luxury watch consignments, the new UK Protection secure transport service meets the needs of high-value auction consignments, fine art, bullion, specialist high-value items, private collections, gallery transit, and vault-to-client movements. Across store networks, retail locations, client premises and event environments, UK Protection delivers an unrivalled level of security and certainty to the sector.