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EIGHT TIPS TO PROTECT TOOLS IN VANS
» » TRADESPEOPLE HAVE BEEN
urged to fit their vans with CCTV
and a safe to protect valuable tools
and equipment from pesky thieves.
This advice not only serves to
secure locksmiths’ own property
but works as a selling tool for their
own customers.
From deadlocks and CCTV to
deliberately parking badly and
dirty vehicles, the specialist advice
could help deter thefts and catch
those responsible when a crime is
committed.
Tim Alcock of www.leasevan.
co.uk said: “Wherever possible,
it’s advisable to move expensive
tools and equipment indoors for
secure storage. But sometimes
location and circumstances mean
tradespeople have no other option
than to leave items in their vans
while they’re parked up on a job or
overnight.
“While of course thieves remain
responsible when items are stole,
wise tradesmen and women should
do whatever they can to avoid
becoming a target or victim of
crime. To help deter criminals and
make a theft less likely to occur or
be successful, we’ve identified some
precautionary steps van owners
could take.”
1. INTRUDER ALARMS
Many Brits nowadays find
standard vehicle alarms annoying
and will be tempted to ignore
them, so it’s worth considering
installing a separate intruder alarm
to discourage possible thieves.
Guard valuable good by fitting a
coded device that will trigger when
your van is accessed by someone
who doesn’t have permission.
Some alarms available online can
be controlled remotely, synced
with your mobile phone and even
include a tracker.
2. TOOL VAULT BOXES
To give valuable tools and
equipment an added layer of
security, purchase a van vault box
5. PERMANENT TOOL MARKING
Invisible anti-theft marking on your
tools and equipment that requires
ultra-violet light make them much
easier to trace and their ownership
indisputable, should they be stolen.
Tradespeople could also choose to
use clear and obvious tool markings,
such as carving or laser-burning a
name or logo into handles, to put off
thieves before items are taken.
or safe to store them in. Requiring
a key or combination to open,
the range of high security options
work in a similar way to a personal
home safe, but often with tailored
compartments for specific tools
too.
3. DEADLOCKS
Deadlocks can give vans
enhanced defences against
thieves by adding an extra and
usually stronger locking point
to cab and rear doors. They are
operated independently to a
vehicle’s standard, factory fitted
locks, which allows the driver to
control when each door is unlocked
individually.
‘Wherever
possible,
it’s
advisable
to move
expensive
tools and
equipment
indoors
for secure
storage’
4. CCTV
Most businesses will protect their
premises with CCTV cameras that
can help both deter and capture
potential criminals, so why not their
commercial vehicles too? Small,
high quality devices can now be
brought relatively cheaply online
and one should be installed on
both the inside and outside of vans,
either permanently or temporarily
while parked. Remember to display
a clear warning sign too – this
could make a thief turn away before
the cameras are even called in to
action.
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | MAY/JUN 2019
Sponsored by Mul-T-Lock
6. DYES
Dye tags like those used in clothing
retail are the best way to catch thieves
literally red handed, as a burst of ink
triggered by opening or moving a tool
box without permission leaves little
doubt who the criminal is and could
deter them from trying to make off
with your goods.
Concealed packs of dye, used
by many banks within stacks of
notes, could also be hidden within
expensive equipment. They’re
armed by magnets and triggered by
radio waves on a timer.
7. INACCESSIBLE PARKING
When there are tools and
equipment in your commercial
vehicle, reverse it into a parking
space where the rear doors are
practically touching a wall or other
obstacle. If a potential thief can’t
easily access your van and its
contents, they’re more likely to be
discouraged and move along.
8. SIMPLE DISSUASION
A basic sticker on the outside of a
van declaring that no tools are stored
in the vehicle may be enough to
convince a criminal to try elsewhere.
Even if it’s not true, it’s cheap, quick
and worth a go. Keeping the outside
of your commercial vehicle in an
unusually dirty condition when
equipment must be stored inside
could also put off thieves, by making
the van seem to the outside world
like it’s less valuable and unlikely to
contain important items.
www.leasevan.co.uk