Meanwhile, according to vehicle protection company Tracker, the Ford Transit was the UK’s most stolen and recovered van in 2018, followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
What’s more with a 55% increase in claims costs for the theft of tools from vans in the past year, Clive Wain, Tracker’s head of police liaison, said: “Over £500,000 worth of vans were stolen and recovered by Tracker last year. But that’s just one side of the story; with the average tool theft costing victims over £3,000 together in lost earnings and tool replacement – not to mention the loss of reputation when a tradespeople can’t turn up for a job, it’s not surprising they are feeling increasingly victimised by organised van thieves.”
More than 30,000 vans have been reported as stolen across the UK since 2015/16, according to research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with almost 10,000 commercial vehicle thefts recorded in the last 12 months – a year-on-year rise of 4% and a 45% increase since 2015/16. The information was obtained following a Freedom of Information request, 42 of 47 police forces across UK responded.
Mr Wain added: “As van thefts increase owners need to up their game in securing their property from theft or help ensure recovery if a van is stolen.”
David Hanna, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles head of service and parts operations, said: “Vans are the lifeblood of so many businesses up and down the country and it’s not only the emotional stress of replacing a vehicle but also the days and weeks of letting customers down and the cost of replacing tools, often worth thousands of pounds, before getting back to ‘business as usual’.”
Top tips to secure a van:
- Park in well-lit areas or car parks with CCTV or alternatively position a van so that the doors are blocked by another vehicle or object
- Window guards or full internal bulkheads can stop would-be thieves seeing inside
- Adding security film to the side or back window glass can stop criminals smashing it
- Fitting additional locks to rear and sliding doors can help deter thieves. Additional deadlocks and steel-clad locks are advisable and slam locks ensure a door locks every time it’s closed – ideal for quick stops
- If a van has keyless entry buy a ‘faraday bag’ that blocks electronic key fob signals from being compromised – use it on site and at home.
- Invest in lockable internal racking or secure storage boxes for the most valuable tools
- Fitting a tracker can help police hunt down a van if it is stolen plus it may reduce insurance premium
- Add extra alarms to vans and use immobilisers to stop thieves, even if they do manage to break in.
Source: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Tracker.