Van theft is on the rise in the UK. In this post we will discuss some ways you can protect your van from break-ins and theft. We will list some secure tech to invest in, along with some best practice guidelines for keeping your van safe.
If you manage a fleet of vans, make sure your commercial vehicle insurance offers sufficient cover for van theft. At Anthony Jones, we can help you ensure you have the cover you need for your fleet at a competitive price. For more information, get in touch with us on or 020 8290 9099, or email commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
Be sure to also read our guide to preventing catalytic converter theft.
How Prevalent is Van Theft in the UK?
Recent FOI requests to police forces across the country revealed the worst areas for van theft. London came out on top, with 14,529 vans affected by theft in the space of a single year. 11,532 of these cases involved thieves stealing items from vans, but there were 2,997 cases of stolen vans too. Of these stolen vans, 1,604 were never recovered, and 470 were recovered with significant damage.
Other van theft hotspots include West Yorkshire (1,973 cases in a year), Essex (1,882), Leicestershire (1,237), Avon and Somerset (876), and South Wales (751).
How To Prevent Van Break-ins and More
Below we’ll share some tips for protecting your van from both break-ins and the theft of the whole van.
Take Care of Your Keys
Thieves don’t always have to force their way into vans. Sometimes they can gain easy access with a key. There are doubtless instances of thieves stealing keys from van drivers. Maybe a driver left them unattended on a table in a pub, or maybe the thief was able to steal the keys from the driver’s home, using a long stick to grab them through the letterbox.
But the rise of keyless entry systems has made life easier for certain thieves. With a relay attack, thieves can use a simple electronic device to extend the range of the signal between your key and your van. This means thieves can trick your van into unlocking, and even starting, when the key is still in your house.
You can prevent relay attacks by keeping your key in a faraday pouch. At home, keep your keys in a secure box that’s capable of blocking RFID signals. And keep this box away from your front door, so that thieves cannot lift your keys through your letterbox.
Advanced Anti-Theft Tech For Your Van
- Physical theft-prevention devices. These include wheel locks, pedal locks, gearstick locks, and wheel clamps. Above all, these act as a strong visual deterrent for would-be thieves. They will show thieves that you take security seriously, and they may conclude that attacking your van is more trouble than its worth.
- Secure your locks. Aftermarket van locks are specifically designed to be as difficult to crack as possible. You could also reinforce your van’s lock areas to prevent thieves from disabling your locks with drills. Plus, fit some simple “slam locks”, which will automatically lock your doors when you shut them. That way, your van will still be secure even if you forget to lock it yourself.
- Secure your valuables. Get extra strength van security boxes for any tools, equipment, or valuables you need to keep in your van. You could also reinforce your van’s windows with some window protection film, which can prevent opportunistic “smash and grab” thefts.
- Upgrade your alarms and immobilisers. Aftermarket alarms can be much more effective than factory-fitted alarms. They can be triggered when thieves attack specific parts of your van, and some can be linked to apps so that you’ll know there’s a problem as soon as possible. And while GPS trackers will not prevent theft themselves, they can at least ensure that you will be able to locate and recover your van if it’s ever stolen.
Where To Park Your Van To Avoid Break-Ins
Ideally, you should park your van in a garage overnight, with a secure lock. If this isn’t possible, park it on a driveway with CCTV coverage and motion-activated floodlights.
If you do not have access to a driveway, at least try and park your car somewhere that’s well lit, with plenty of houses and businesses in the area. This way, if thieves do target your van while it’s parked, there might be some witnesses, or even some CCTV footage, to help you.
It’s also good practice to park near walls and other obstructions, to make it harder for thieves to access certain vulnerable parts of your van.
You could also consider adding a dashcam to your van, so that you’ll be able to record your own security footage even if there is no CCTV coverage in the area.
Does Your Insurance Cover Van Theft?
Your insurer might make certain stipulations about how you secure your van. For example, they may request that all of the locks, alarms, and immobilisers you fit meet certain standards, or that they are made by a certain manufacturer. It’s important to follow any such requirements to the letter, to ensure you’ll be able to make a claim in the event of a theft.
The good news is that taking steps to secure your van can often help bring down the price of your policy.
At Anthony Jones, we can help you ensure you have the cover you need for your van at a competitive price. We can also advise on the sort of risk management techniques that could help you pay lower premiums. For more information, get in touch with us on or 020 8290 9099, or email commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
