Tool theft from vans is a significant concern for tradespeople, leading to financial losses and operational disruptions. One survey found that 78 percent of tradespeople have experienced tool theft, while over 35 percent have had tools stolen from their van.
To safeguard your tools, Graham Conway, Managing Director of Select Van Leasing shares his advice:
- Install advanced locking systems
While vans come with standard locks, these can vary in quality, so it’s always best to consider additional locks.
There are a range of locking options, like deadlocks, slam locks and hook looks which provide extra protection against break-ins. Deadlocks require manual activation, while slam locks automatically lock upon closing the door. A deadlock offers extra protection overnight while slam locks may be better suited for those who are in and out of their van all day and want a quick, secure lock up for their van.
These locks will require some adjustments to your vehicle so it’s always best to have these fitted by a professional. For those who lease their vans, a slam lock or deadlock can be fitted before leasing to provide extra security.
- Choose a parking space carefully
Parking a van in a secure garage isn’t an option for everyone, so it’s best to choose a parking spot that is likely to deter thieves. Choose a well-lit, busy area with surveillance cameras. When possible, park with the rear or side doors tight against a wall to make it more challenging for thieves to access entry points with ease.
- Use signal-blocking pouches
Keyless entry is widely used on vehicles now, however, there are some risks to consider. Police forces around the UK have recently warned about an increase in theft as a result of keyless entry. Keyless entry relies on a short-range radio signal emitted by the key fob. When the fob is close to the car, the signal unlocks the doors. Thieves will position a relay amplifier near the fob to extend the reach of the signal. Using this, thieves can gain access to the van even when the fob is far away from the van.
To protect against this, store your key far away from any windows or doors to make it harder for thieves to amplify the signal. You could also store your key fob in a signal-blocking pouch, also known as a Faraday bag, to prevent signal cloning.
- Secure tools within the van
It’s always best to spend the extra time removing tools from a van each day. However, if this isn’t an option, consider investing in a high-security, lockable chest bolted to the vehicle’s cargo floor. This adds an extra layer of protection, making it more difficult for thieves to steal your tools.
If you’re leasing a van and can’t bolt a lockable chest to the floor, opt for a heavy chest with handles that can be secured to the van with a cable lock.
- Mark and register your tools
Make a permanent engraving of your company name, phone number, or a unique identifier on your tools. This makes them harder to sell and easier to trace. Register all tools with the Immobilise National Property Register, a free service supported by UK police forces which can increase the chances of recovery if tools are stolen.
- Install Interior CCTV and alarms
Equipping your van with interior CCTV cameras and alarms will act as a deterrent to potential thieves. CCTV footage can capture images of thieves during a break-in, providing valuable evidence for law enforcement and increasing the likelihood of recovering the tools. Some CCTV options even allow for real-time monitoring, to alert you instantly if activity is detected in the van.
A high-decibel alarm is also useful to draw attention to the break-in and deter thieves before they can steal anything.
