It can sometimes feel like we’re living in somewhat lawless times in the UK nowadays. Thefts and vandalism occur far too often, with this being a problem for van owners in particular, whether small-time tradespeople with a single vehicle or large companies running a fleet. According to the latest statistics, 11,273 vans worth approximately £200 million were stolen in 2024, with the good old Ford Transit at the top of the list.
The Impact of Van Theft
Theft of or from a van can have a catastrophic effect on a small business, while even larger companies must bear the costs involved. Around three out of five stolen vans do not get recovered either. This means the unfortunate van owner has to not only purchase a replacement vehicle but can often see their motor insurance premiums hiked through no fault of their own.
Let’s look into the steps you can take to protect your van.
Consider a Van Tracker
A van tracking system working off proven GPS technology is undoubtedly one of the most effective forms of security. A van tracker offers complete peace of mind for the van owner with features such as:
- Real-time tracking with instant location updates.
- Geofencing means you can set boundaries and receive alerts if these are breached.
- Integration capabilities, useful for fleet owners as this means it works with fleet management software.
- Remote immobilization.
These are just a few of the functions offered by van tracking systems. If you are wondering how a tracker could benefit you, seek out a company who can offer expert advice backed up by years of knowledge in the vehicle security trade.
Other Ways to Protect Your Van
Whilst a van tracking system provides an elevated level of security, it is always wise to back this up with other methods to prevent the possibility of theft.
Old-school mechanical anti-theft devices such as steering locks, pedal locks and axle locks may be old technology. However, they still offer a decent deterrent to the opportunist thief. Good quality locking devices force the thief to take extra time to remove them. This, together with window stickers advising that the vehicle is fitted with a tracker, can often force a rethink.
Many vans are stolen from domestic driveways overnight and many of these will have keyless entry technology, meaning the vehicle’s key fobs are vulnerable to remote signal hacking. This is commonly known as relay attacking. Keeping keys and fobs in a Faraday pouch or box, preferably well away from doors and windows, will prevent signal hacking.
Preventing Tool and Cargo Theft
Standard van locks are easy for an experienced thief to bypass. It may be worth investing in upgrading your locks to provide an extra layer of protection. These could include a variety of options, such as:
- Deadlocks, which require the physical locking of each door and prevent the manipulation of the van’s locking mechanism.
- Slam locks that lock automatically when the door is closed. These are often used by those who are constantly in and out of the van, such as delivery drivers.
- High-security locks, which are designed to resist lock picking and drilling.
Wherever possible, you should always remove valuable tools or other cargo from your van overnight to reduce the risk of theft. Anti-theft bollards or posters at the end of your driveway can help prevent your van from being driven away.
Choose The Best Parking Location
Thieves will often target vehicles parked in dark or poorly lit areas and especially where there are few, if any, passers-by to disturb them. Well-lit, busy car parks or areas with CCTV coverage and/or barriers are a noted deterrent.
In conclusion, utilize as many security features as possible, including van trackers to protect your vehicle. After all, it’s often one of the most important assets a business has.
