Tool theft is plaguing a huge number of areas in the construction sector, with more than half of UK builders reporting their tools as stolen. Every 23 minutes in the UK, a van is broken into and tools are stolen.
Furthermore, the cost of missing tools and equipment can lead to more downtime, which can cost £550 per day (per van), which also impacts your reputation – without your tools you might not be able to work.
There are some major city hotspots around the country where you have to be extra alert, but small towns and rural areas are not immune. Between March 2018 and 2019, Yorkshire alone had nearly £850,000 worth of tools stolen.
Costs are on the rise
With the value of tools in vans now averaging around £3,000, it’s not just the price of insurance premiums and replacing equipment. Just think about all that lost work – without your tools you might not be able to finish contracts.
One insurance firm has said that the average claim has gone up by over 15% in recent years, with some reporting claims for the cost of tools from vans increasing by more than half in the past year alone. Five percent of claims for van theft are over £5,000, and some are even as high as £11,000.
Tool theft is not just an issue in big cities
Everyday up and down the country, there are hundreds of stories about van break-ins and tool theft. One local paper recently reported that a tradesman from rural Berkshire suffered a theft of tools worth £10,000.
It’s also been said that July is the month where thieves are most active, with Mondays being the worst day of the week for activity. But some areas have seen a spike in winter months too. In October 2018, £110,000 worth of tools and 89 vans were stolen in Yorkshire alone.
Van break-ins only take seconds
A break-in can take less than 10 seconds. Van Vault has been told by some police officers that would-be thieves target key areas where they know tradespeople are working – such as construction sites, but also from supermarket car parks, hotels used by contractors and even the back of vans stuck in traffic. Simply Business conducted research and found the ten areas in the UK (listed below) most at risk.
Top ten hotspots for tool theft
- London
- Bristol
- Sheffield
- Northampton
- Leicester
- Leeds
- Nottingham
- Birmingham
- Bradford
- Manchester
With one out of three people suffering from van tool theft, protecting your tools is a no brainer. A secure van box or drawer such as a Van Vault adds another layer of protection and deters thieves if your van is broken into. Not only can specialist security containers give you additional peace of mind, they also help you keep your valuables organised, safe from damage and ultimately helps save time.
Make security a priority
When you’re looking for a new van, think about the basic security features from tinted windows to an alarm, immobiliser and deadlocks. Always make sure that your van is as secure as possible. If you leave it for even five minutes you should always lock it and close all windows and doors.
Double check once you’ve locked up too, don’t assume your vehicle has locked using a key fob. Nowadays criminals can use devices that block the key fob signal.
Always make sure you park your van in a well-lit location, ideally with CCTV, and use a garage if you have one. If your van is parked on a driveway, consider installing security lighting.
Additionally, think about marking your equipment and tools and put a sticker in your van window to say they are marked.
How to buy secure storage
When you’re thinking about specific van storage, think what you need it for – storage and/or security? Does the box need to be portable? How much space do you have in your van? Do you need a drawer system or a traditional box design? Do you need the depth of a box or a slider system where you can stack equipment or materials on top of it?
There are several different manufacturers of dedicated van storage boxes that provide a deterrent and added level of security. Make sure you always consider these three main points: What is the quality of construction? Does it have a good locking system? Does it have an independent security rating?
Research and development
Choose a box that is tough, sturdily built with the highest steel thickness and has the best security features. A break-in can take as little as ten seconds, so ensure locks and lids are reinforced. Some lock systems use traditional five lever locks, but they can drop when a box or vehicle regularly moves, meaning you can’t open your box. Look for an advanced security disc lock which gives extra protection from drilling, cutting and picking.
Use this as your shopping list and look for features that make it much harder to steal your valuable power tools and equipment. www.vanvault.co.uk
