AUTO LOCKSMITHS
Road-Tested: The Truth About Van Security Suppliers
How Van Guard delivers for LDS Van Security Locks week after week
» VAN CRIME SHOWS NO SIGN OF slowing down, and for locksmiths working at the sharp end of vehicle security, that reality shapes every decision they make, from the services they offer to the suppliers they rely on. For Allan Stephenson at LDS Van Security Locks, those decisions are driven by experience on the road, not brochures or brand promises.
LDS Van Security Locks has been serving customers across the UK for over ten years. Originally founded by two locksmiths carrying out domestic and commercial work, the business began
to change direction as demand for van security solutions grew.
“ Around five years ago, we just kept getting calls about van locks,” Allan explains.“ There were more attacks on vans, more break-ins, and it was becoming obvious there was a real problem.”
Recognising the shift, Allan’ s business partner, Lee, undertook specialist training in van security. What started as an addition to their existing services quickly became the core of the business.
“ We’ ve never looked back,” Allan says.“ Van break-ins seem to increase year on year, and there was a clear gap in the market.”
Today, LDS Van Security Locks focuses exclusively on securing commercial vehicles. The company operates nationwide, covering everywhere from Aberdeen to Exeter, with a high concentration of work around London, the M25, Brighton and Bournemouth.
“ There are simply more vans in those areas,” Allan notes.“ And where there are more vans, there’ s more van crime. That’ s where we’ re spending most of our time— helping to stop it.”
A Business Built Around Mobility
Unlike workshop-based operations, LDS Van Security Locks runs almost entirely as a mobile service. The team regularly fits locks at customers’ homes or places of work, minimising downtime for tradespeople and fleet operators.
“ We come to the customer so we’ re not disrupting their trading,” Allan explains.“ That’ s a big part of what we do.”
But that convenience brings its own pressures. The LDS team often sets off on a Monday morning to cover jobs for the week and may not return to headquarters until the work is complete.
“ That means we need the full kit with us when we leave,” Allan says.“ We can’ t afford to be missing parts or waiting on deliveries halfway through the week.”
As a result, supplier reliability isn’ t just a nice-to-have— it’ s fundamental to how the business operates.
“ We pride ourselves on going above and beyond for our customers,” Allan adds.“ Whatever someone needs, and wherever we are, we’ ll make it happen. But to do that, we need the same level of commitment from our suppliers and partners.”
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JANUARY 2026
47
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