VAUXHALL, BMW and Ford have scooped the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association's 1998 Vehicle Security Awards. Vauxhall took top honours in the volume car category of up to £25,000, for the sixth time in 11 years, BMW won the award in the luxury car category, and Ford won the light commercial vehicle category for the second year running.

The annual awards recognise the vehicle manufacturers which have shown the greatest commitment to improving security across their ranges, and were presented by Home Office Minister Joyce Quin on Wednesday.

A panel comprising senior police officers from the Metropolitan Police Stolen Vehicle Squad, the Police Scientific Development branch, police liaison research engineers from Thatcham, the Association of British Insurers, Fleet News editor Ashley Martin and senior figures from the BVRLA judged the awards.