A study from IronmongeryDirect has revealed that Cambridgeshire is the UK’s biggest hotspot for van theft, with a 103% increase in van theft over 2020 and 2021, with the number of trade vehicles stolen rising from 68 in the former year to 138 in the latter.
Cumbria followed, with offences doubling over the time period from 15 to 30 (100%). Furthermore, almost two in five (38%) police forces saw increases in van theft between 2020 and 2021.
Almost half (46%) of the total number of offences were in London, with the Met Police reporting 6,839 incidents of van theft in the time period.
Overall, over the two years, 14,919 vans were reported stolen across the UK, with an average of 466 per police force.
IronmongeryDirect has partnered with Dan Powell, motoring expert at Desperate Seller, to offer security advice to prevent van theft:
Park in well-lit, highly trafficked areas
“This can often be the most effective deterrent as it makes a discrete getaway extremely difficult. If it means paying a little more for parking or walking an extra few minutes to your destination, it’s a lot less effort and cost than the alternative.”
Secure your spare wheel
“Spare wheels are often unscrewed and stolen without the van owner’s knowledge. Once you’ve checked that you still have yours, make sure it’s secured with a wheel lock. There are inexpensive products on the market that can save you the hassle of being caught out.”
Make sure you have insurance
“Most importantly, it’s always worth having adequate van insurance in case of theft or damage. Ensure the insurance policy includes tools and equipment left in the van overnight. Not all insurance products will provide this, and if you need to leave valuables in the vehicle, it’s essential to make sure they are covered.”
>>Read more about protecting your van here.
