Take steps to stop theft from - and of - vans

Theft of – and from – vans continues to be a significant problem in the UK, with latest estimates suggesting a light commercial vehicle is broken into or stolen every 12 minutes.

This can have a significant impact on an organisation, because as well as the cost of replacing the stolen equipment and repairing the damage to the van, it affects their operations as employees are not able to carry out their duties, adding disruption and further costs.

Vanarama found the number of LCV thefts increased significantly during 2023, a jump of 18% compared to 2022 for a total of 12,950, while as many as four in five van users has become a statistic with a claimed 78% of tradespersons having had their working life disrupted.

In fact, despite an estimated 60% of van users taking additional steps to secure their vehicles, the endemic is so bad that a Stop Tool Theft campaign is being supplemented and supported by a Government White Paper.

A private members bill from MP Greg Smith has now been passed and an act and it is this act that industry is seeking to have extended to power tools, Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

Earlier this year organisation Trades United arranged a protest, attended by 300 tradespeople, in London calling for tougher enforcement of the law to prevent the theft and resale of stolen tools.

“As LCVs continue to increase in demand, it’s imperative to take measures for better security and to protect your van from thieves,” says Matt Dillon, head of commercial vehicles at Ayvens.