Drivers warned against spiking van thefts
Van drivers have been warned to take extra precautions as van thefts typically spike at this time of year.
Data from Tracker Network UK revealed that van recoveries last May was the highest of the year, with light commercial vehicles valued at a combined £300,000 recovered during the month.
That represents nearly 20% of the yearly total of £1.6m.
Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker, said: “Criminals targeting valuable tools understand that vans are their mobile storage units. Their primary goal might be the tools inside, but this immediately compromises the security of the van itself.
“Thieves will often damage locks, force entry, or even steal the entire vehicle to gain access to the contents. This isn’t just about the financial loss of tools and the subsequent impact on earnings; it’s about the potential loss of the van, the disruption to business operations and the significant stress and inconvenience caused.”
He said taking a few simple steps can dramatically reduce the risk of vehicle theft. These include:
- Enhance standard security with additional deadlocks and steel-clad locks
- Invest in a Faraday bag to block electronic key fob signals
- Park so sliding or rear doors are against a wall, making access more difficult
- Remove tools from vans overnight
- Install a Thatcham-approved tracking device
