VEHICLE SECURITY
Ensure your van isn ’ t a moving target for criminals
» YOUR TRADE VAN IS MORE THAN just your mode of transport to get you from job to job . It doubles up as storage for your tools , equipment and sometimes even your paper work and other important documentation .
But unfortunately , opportunists can also place a huge value on vans and their contents too , with recent statistics revealing that , on average , 30 vans are stolen in the UK each day , with tool theft incidents rising by 25 % in the past year 1 .
And with the average tradesperson carrying a total of around £ 4,300 worth of tools 2 , securing your van has never been more essential in keeping your business up and running .
Matt Claydon , Head of Trade at Yale UK , shares a range of useful tips and tricks to ensure you can protect your van , tools and livelihood as experts prepare us for another suspected spike in van theft .
Locks away
Although van locking systems have become much more sophisticated in recent years , it ’ s worthwhile considering the additional protection you can invest in to boost the security of your vehicle .
A van lock is a cost-effective solution to greatly increase the protection of your van and its contents , whilst also signalling to criminals that you take your vehicle security seriously .
In response to the ongoing threats of van and tool theft , the experts at Yale recently launched its Heavy Duty Van Lock , with the aim to greatly improve van security and ensure protection against a range of attack methods .
With EN12320:2012 British Standards accreditation , the Heavy Duty Van Lock is designed to offer corrosion resistance in even the most extreme weather conditions , alongside a hardened steel body and six-pin cylinder construction to provide significant security protection .
Start the security from the inside Being easy to steal and sell on , it ’ s no surprise that tools are often a key target for criminals operating in the area . According to statistics from Comparethemarket . com , in 67 % of break-in cases , tools are reported to be stolen , with just 1 % being recovered , so it ’ s worthwhile prioritising the protection of these valuable assets .
Although a van lock will offer significant protection for your vehicle , in the unlikely event that a criminal is able to gain access , it ’ s worthwhile fixing down tools inside your van too .
A security cable and maximum-security padlock will do the trick . Not only will fixing down these items keep them in place whilst you ’ re driving , but they will also keep these in-demand items out of the wrong hands . A maximum-security padlock , particularly from a trusted security brand such as Yale , will have the capabilities to withstand a range of attack methods to ensure these tools stay secured .
Perfect your parking
Being conscious of the location of your van will also help you to keep tabs on your valuable assets .
A driveway is the best location to keep your vehicle overnight , as many criminals wouldn ’ t want to run the risk of being caught redhanded . But , when that ’ s not possible , it ’ s important to ensure your van is always parked in a well-lit area .
If you ’ re parking on your street , ensure your van is positioned underneath a streetlight , or if you park on the road outside your home , you could consider investing in a floodlight camera or CCTV system .
1
Parkers , 2023 , 2 Direct Line , 2023 , 3 Compare the Market , 2022
A floodlight camera , such as the latest one from Yale , allows van owners to keep track of their vehicles from their smartphone , with a 2000-lumen light paired with a 1080FHD camera allowing for high quality footage in even the lowest light conditions .
Alternatively , a CCTV system is a worthwhile investment if you ’ re looking to take your van security seriously . A smart CCTV system , which similarly offers smartphone control of your cameras , will allow users to monitor their home , garden and driveway in high quality , 1080 camera quality . Not only will this allow you to keep a close eye on your van , but in the event of someone attempting to break into your vehicle , you ’ ll have clear footage of the perpetrator .
Time to tidy up Although you may utilise your van as a place to keep your important documents and paperwork safe , it ’ s worthwhile keeping these tidy and out of sight of spying eyes , to ensure this private information can ’ t be used against you . An untidy van may also signal to criminals that you don ’ t take the condition of your vehicle , or its security seriously , making you an easy target . A quick tidy up will help to ensure that you can quickly identify any missing items in the case of a break-in and may even deter criminals in the first instance .
With van theft set to reach a staggering 20,000 cases by 2030 3 , this threat shows no signs of slowing . But with these tips , tactics and measures put in place , you can rest assured that your van and livelihood is safe and secure .
For more information , please contact trade @ yale . co . uk
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MAY / JUN 2023
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