5 van security tips to prevent van theft

According to data seen by RAC Insurance, the number of vehicles stolen in the UK has almost tripled in size in the last three years.

Van theft can be detrimental to your business. Luckily we’ve compiled a list of our top five van security tips to deter criminals from targeting your commercial vehicles.

1. Steer away from criminals

Advances in vehicle security systems and concerns over thieves now stealing car keys or even hacking into keyless entry vehicles, has resulted in a more traditional security measure: steering wheel locks.

Popular in the 1980s and early 90s, steering wheel locks are even now still an effective visible deterrent. Ironically, they were replaced a number of years ago by alarms and immobilisers, but are now making a comeback as a better theft prevention. A typical steering lock can set you back at around £20, which is no price to pay for the safety of your vehicle.

2. 2. Location, location, location

One of the best ways to deter thieves from targeting your van is to think about where you park. The ideal place is in a busy, well-lit area and where possible, you should back your rear doors against a wall to make access to goods more difficult. For extra security at home or at work, consider installing CCTV, motion-detecting security lights or lockable gates.

3. 3. Time for telematics

Telematics – or black box – technology is another potentially useful weapon in the fight against van theft. We have seen several instances where stolen vehicles have been tracked using RAC Telematics devices and have even helped the police recover vehicles successfully.

4. 4. Catalyser catastrophe

While it's vital to protect the contents inside your van, remember there are other parts of your van that are valuable to thieves. Catalytic converters are attractive to thieves because of the precious metals that are contained within them, and vans are particularly vulnerable to attack because they are easier to get to. That’s why fourth on our list includes installing an anti-theft device for catalysers.

5. 5. Back to basics

All these security devices are only any good if you actually use them. While it may sound obvious, sometimes it’s best to go back to basics and remember to always lock your van! Even if you’re leaving your vehicle for just a moment, you should always ensure your windows and doors are shut and locked every time you leave your van to stop those opportunist thieves.  And if you’re leaving your van for a long period of time, ensure you use all the extra security measures (such as those we’ve discussed above) you’ve invested in.

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