PRESS RELEASE
Tradespeople Victimised As Thieves Target Tools And Equipment
According to Tracker, the Ford Transit was the UK’s most stolen and recovered van in 2018, followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. With news of a 55% increase in claims costs for the theft of tools from vans in the past year, tradespeople are not just at risk of losing their vehicle, but their livelihood too. Tracker, which works in partnership with UK police forces, is urging tradespeople to protect their van and its contents from theft.
7 practical tips for protecting your van
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Lock and key: use additional deadlocks and steel-clad locks, as standard locks are easy for thieves to pick. Slam locks ensure a door locks every time it’s closed – ideal for quick stops.
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Park with any sliding or rear doors by a wall to make access slower and harder and in a well-lit area to try and avoid ‘peal and steal’ – where thieves cut open the side of the van before ransacking it.
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Alarms: add extra alarms to vans and use immobilisers to stop thieves, even if they do manage to break in.
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Store tools securely: make sure tools are removed from vans overnight and lock them in a secure storage box in a garage or building.
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Track it: Install a tracking device to help police recover a stolen van and close the net on thieves.
Clive Wain concludes: “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. If they don’t keep informed of the latest ways of protecting their van, they may find themselves facing an uphill battle if their insurer feels they haven’t taken enough security precautions.