The invention relates to a monitoring system (10) , and particularly to a monitoring system (10) to monitor proximity of an object to a vehicle (11) . The monitoring system (10) includes at least one proximity sensor (12-18) mountable on an exterior of the vehicle (11) and includes triggering means (20) responsive to an ignition switch of the vehicle (11) and operable to activate the proximity sensor (12-18) when the ignition switch of the vehicle (11) is off . More particularly, the monitoring system (10) may include a plurality of proximity sensors (12-18) mountable peripherally around the vehicle (11) to provide a monitoring zone around the vehicle (11) .
