The key point - transforming fleet operations at Hertfordshire Constabulary

Hertfordshire Constabulary serves over one million residents across a 1,600 square kilometre area within North London. With a large and dynamic fleet, the constabulary prioritises safety, efficiency, and reliability in its operations.

Challenge: The risks of relying on manual key management in Law Enforcement

Like many police forces, Hertfordshire Constabulary previously relied on a manual pegboard and whiteboard system to manage vehicle keys. This outdated method posed risks of lost or stolen keys, operational delays, and increased administrative burden when trying to track down who had which key.

While Hertfordshire has moved to modern key management technology, many forces out there still rely on traditional manual methods. This outdated approach also poses significant security and financial risks, leading to wasted time operational inefficiencies.

Traka solution: Intelligent key management to enhance fleet efficiency and security 

To modernise operations, Hertfordshire adopted Traka’s electronic key management system. Today, over 1,500 keys, including more than 500 vehicle and custody cell keys are securely stored in over 30 Traka intelligent key cabinets across the county.

Officers have individual access levels, and keys can be activated or deactivated remotely. Traka’s system logs every transaction, supports vehicle curfews, and integrates with fleet data, including mileage tracking and service scheduling.

Lynda Lawson, Fleet Support Manager at Hertfordshire Constabulary says: 

We would find it much harder to effectively manage our fleet to the standard we do if we didn’t have some sort of key management in place.

The benefits: 

• Improved fleet management:  Keys can be booked out of circulation for servicing or reported faults, preventing use of unsafe vehicles.
• Operational efficiency:  The team can assign vehicles to specific stations for major events, ensuring resources are available where needed. 
• Enhanced accountability: Automated tracking reduces the risk of lost keys and saves time on administrative tasks.
• Extended vehicle lifespan: Regular service scheduling and proactive fault reporting helps to maintain fleet health and compliance.

In addition to streamlining fleet management and improving security, the system also helps eliminate operational stress for officers. As Ms Lawson explains: 

Key booking for planned operations helps prevent issues with suitable vehicles being unavailable when they are needed for operational demands and therefore drivers have one less thing to worry about.

As other forces continue to recognise the importance of advanced technology in key management, Hertfordshire’s success stands as a clear example of how modern solutions can drive efficiency and security in law enforcement operations.

The value of the solution goes beyond just securing keys. It has allowed Hertfordshire Constabulary to optimise vehicle usage, improve service scheduling, and extend the life of their fleet, saving time and costs. With Traka, the Constabulary has ensured a smarter, more efficient, and secure operation that supports their commitment to public safety and operational excellence.

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