Van theft and break-ins are an epidemic, costing van owners millions per year in increased insurance premiums as thieves look to try and steal the contents of people’s vans. Whether it is parcels or packages or tools and equipment, every industry that uses a van is a potential target and victim.
In this advice guide we'lll talk about van security, van locks (including van security deadlocks) a whole range of solutions and suggests to keep your van safe and gaurd against break-ins and other secutiry issues.
In 2023, there were more than 24,500 reported tool thefts from a vehicle (a rise of 14% on 2022) and unfortunately, 83% of tradespeople who have been victims of crime say that they have lost business as a result of a theft and not having the tools needed for a job.
An estimated £16.3m of tools were stolen from vans in London in 2023, according to the Metropolitan Police, prompting a demonstration by campaign group Trades United in London's Parliament Square earlier this year.
Trades United wants to see increased funding for the police and a complete ban on sales of tools at car boot sales. Organised crime groups are involved in the business of stealing and reselling tools, and punishments are far too lenient.
Tradespeople should clearly mark their tools to help increase the chances of them being returned.
Methods like ultraviolet marking are one option, or etching is another way of marking tools. Unfortunately, for the latter, it can be filed off.
Make sure you tell you're van insurer, and any other professional insurance you have that covers your equipment, that you have done this, and you may also get cheaper van insurance.
Another sensible precaution is to increased the physical security for your van. Fitting additional locks, including mechanical hook locks, will make gaining access harder.
Deadlocking hook bolts, that hook into the opposing body section, are particularly suitable when you rely on the driver locking their van.
Electronic slam-locks are another sensible option, securing a door automatically when it is slammed shut. These are arguably the best locks for parcel delivery vans as it quickly secures the load area without any additional interventions. The driver can also be alerted if a door hasn’t been slammed shut properly. Speaking of which...
If they don’t lock the van, then the next line of defence is a telematics system that can link the locks to send an alert if the van has been left unlocked.
This could be to the fleet manager who can then send a message to the driver telling them to secure their van, or the van can send an alert direct to the driver’s smartphone, reminding them to lock the doors.
Thieves are thought to be following parcel vans who will look target any unsecured vehicles or even to take items dropped outside of empty homes.
As well as hook locks and slam locks, another type of lock are called statement locks.
They're big, bold and you'll start to notice them on a lot of vans. But it's not just you that notice these sorts of locks, criminals will too.
These are available with anti-cutting and anti-drilling cylinders which means they can withstand sustained attacks from tools like angle grinders and drills. They’re also a bold visual deterrent, telling thieves that breaking into this van won’t be easy way.
Another option is a protection plate. Protection plates defend the vulnerable areas of the locks installed by the van manufacturer.
It’s also important to defend against so-called "peel-and-steal" attacks. A thief will apply pressure to a door’s weakest points allowing it to be levered open. You can prevent this using a stainless-steel bracket and keep.
Keeping tools and other valuables in a lockable chest is also another good idea, adding an additional layer of security. Alternatively, you can turn your entire van into a lockable tool check with an internal steel mesh cage.
Of course, all these protection methods are no good if the their simple drives off with your van. That’s why protecting against theft like relay thefts, which target the keyless entry systems, are really important.
To prevent this, you can keep your keys in a "Faraday" pouch. The metallic lining that blocks the signal, preventing the unlock code form being hijacked.
An OBD (On Board Diagnostics) port protector also stops thieves hacking into the vehicle’s electrics and overriding the built-in immobiliser. These can be key code-operated, and are a cost effective additional layer of security.
Leaving a van running in order to power auxiliary equipment makes them vulnerable to theft.
Additionally, immobilisers should also be considered. These can disable the van if someone attempts to drive it while a transponder is not in range.
Camera systems are a sensible investment not only for load security but also as evidence in the event of a theft or an accident. Cameras can be linked to an onboard telematics system.
Taking steps to improve your van’s security can ultimately keep your livelihood safe, and it may also help reduce the cost of van insurance. Any security devices fitted should help improve your insurance, provided they are Thatcham-approved.
Another way to reduce the cost of your van insurance is to have a higher voluntary excess, but make sure you can afford to pay if you need to make a claim.
Physical locks and deterrents are also a good investment.
Steering column locks, gear stick locks and even lockable boxes to cover the pedals will all make driving away in your work van harder for any would-be thief.
We all know tools are expensive, so you should try to take them indoors at the end of the day. By telling your insurance company that “no tools are left in this vehicle overnight”, just like the stickers say, it should help cut the cost of your cover.
But those stickers are actually a bad idea, so don’t put stickers on your van saying that no tools are kept in it overnight as it actually draws more attention to your van and the valuables you have in it.
Likewise, signwriting on your van, and a vehicle wrap to promote your business can be a great marketing tool, but if it also tells thieves that you're likely to have high value equipment in your van then perhaps think twice.
Our main advice is to upgrade your locks. Get some van deadlocks fitted, and research what are the most vulnerable points of attack for your particular make and model of van. Ford van security used to be fairly weak (not helped by the fact there were so many on the road, that criminals went all out to master how to break into them) but have worked extensively to upgreade their van security.
While the Transit van security is still a constant bone of contention, it's not because they're particularly vulnerable. Nor does it mean thieves will ignore other vans.
Assume that your van will be targetted and take steps to make it as difficult to gain entry to, and as undesirable as possible to a van thief.
