Van security is an essential aspect for businesses large and small. An attack or theft can result in major impacts, usually involving thousands of dollars of productivity or tools lost. We’ve created this guide on van security to minimize the risk of the most devastating incident happening.
We’ve talked with industry experts and talked to forum members of vans to provide this comprehensive guide that rounds out ways to safeguard your van as well as everything within it whether it’s goods tools, equipment, or even tools.
Do you think van theft is a major issue?
Research indicates that van theft rose by 81 percent between 2015 and the year 2019 and by 2030, that number is expected to increase by a third. Thus van theft is an important problem.
Furthermore According to research conducted from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, more than one quarter of drivers of vans (27 percent) were victims of theft of tools during the twelve months of leasing until September 2021 and a report released by Logistics UK reveals that more than one third of British companies had vans stolen by 2020.
To quantify the assertions, Logistics UK claims the average cost to businesses of theft of content is about £4,250 with VW believing that the resulting downtime is £550 per day for each van, which is approximately £15 million total each year. However, the same study reveals that at the very least half of van drivers (57 percent) are still putting everything in their vans over night. Nearly a third (31 percent) aren’t using any security measures in addition to the ones they already have.
That’s why this guide to van security is available.
What is the most important thing to consider in the context of van security?
It’s likely obvious however there are two major aspects to think about in regards to van security: the van itself being stolen and the theft of the contents of the van. This is why we’ve split this guide into twoparts:
• Preventing theft of the entire van
Preventing theft of van’s contents
A few of these measures to prevent theft will cost nothing, and also, the latest vans have some innovative techniques included. If you’re serious about security for your van, you should be prepared to invest some cash.
Van security: stopping theft of the van in its entirety
Are you concerned about your vehicle being taken? Check out these tips.
- Keep track of the keys
We’ll look at additional security locks for vans as well as similar upgrades down below the first step to take a van away is to steal the key. Therefore, make sure to are aware of where your van’s key is all the time.
Keyless entry and keyless becoming increasingly popular on commercial vehicles you should also think about’relay attacks’. These are attacks that use electronic devices to increase the range of the signals wirelessly transmitted from vehicle to the key which allows thieves to gain access and begin the van even if the key is at home – or in your in your pocket.
A fairly inexpensive faraday pouch or key box is a great solution to this problem.
- Old-fashioned physical deterrents remain useful
Physical security devices like pedal locks, steering-wheel locks, and gearlever locks – all of which are referred to as clamps – might appear like they’ve come out of the 1990s, but they’re effective in preventing van theft. You could even put in your own wheel clamp.
Purchase the highest quality product that you are able to afford but make sure that they’re approved by Thatcham, and at a minimum, they can deter criminals possibly skewing the risk/reward balance in favor or not bothering your vehicle at all. The experts from TVL Security say their PedalBox (below) is the best example of the belt and braces method, and say it’s never been defeated.
Make sure you make use of these additional locks however. Nothing is more painful than the van disappearing as a result of the Disklok was on the passenger’s seat instead of being connected on the steering wheel.
- Install new alarms and immobilisers.
Certain vans are equipped with factory-installed alarms, whereas others do not – however, you can make it more difficult for thieves by installing a top-quality aftermarket alarm, which increases the difficulty to getting your van stolen.
Search for systems that have been approved by Thatcham. Also, look for installers who have been reviewed with respect by van owners of other vans. See some examples of the quality of their the previous work. Be aware that an alarm will only alert the person to a burglary and it’s the immobiliser which blocks the van from getting started, so you shouldn’t compromise on this aspect.
Modern solutions that are innovative include “CAN bus immobilisers,” like Autowatch Ghost, which is a CAN bus immobiliser. Autowatch Ghost. These are integrated into your van’s electronic components, and permit it to start only if the right combination of standard steering-wheel or dashboard buttons are first pressed.
Also, think about also an OBD port lock or having this ECU interface professionally relocated.
- Make a plan for parking, think about CCTV and your home security
The location of your vehicle place that is well-lit and where a lot of people will be able to observe it can make potential thieves be cautious. Place it in the clear view of the CCTV camera or even more sophisticated criminals might reconsider their strategies.
Many van owners who are smart benefit from the latest Wireless home security alarms. In addition to standalone wireless alarms like the Vanmate described below, contact sensors and wireless cameras on your van . These sensors can be connected to your home alarm when your van is in close proximity.
If the sound of a gun being blown through the entire home doesn’t deter a potential criminal, we’re not certain which one will. In addition, you’re not likely to not sleep through the noise of it.
- Make use of all the technology available and/or install an electronic tracker
The G£ tracking device will not prevent the van from being taken however it can assist you in obtaining it time and time. The options range from simple cheap passive devices, to full-time subscription services. Consider the latter when you can. They must be set up correctly, too. Tracker is the most well-known brand name, however there are other brands too.
As vans gain equipped with connectivity and connectivity, many modern vans have an app for smartphones which includes the G£ location system. So ensure that whatever you already have is downloaded and active on your phone.
Certain brands, such as Ford are taking advantage of this technology by giving the option of having their apps alert you to any attempt to open or begin the vehicle, even if it’s done using keys.
Van security: Preventing the theft of the contents of your van
From power tools to lockpicks broken windows to “peel and steal” assaults criminals who are only after to take what’s inside the van are faced with a tense range of possibilities. What can you do to safeguard your home and defend it.
- Replace the locks
There are readily available tools for picking security locks for van that can be used to pick most regular van locks that are fitted by manufacturers and so switching them to tougher-to-break aftermarket van lock like that fitted by a dealer RepLock to Ford Transits is a simple decision. But that’s only the starting place.
Furthermore, you can also arm the lock’s areas to protect against drilling attacks. The van door safety plates are designed to deal with specific vulnerabilities to the model, like van wiring loom security guards. Additionally, you can install various types of locks. The most popular upgrades are deadlocks and slam locks, which are now more often equipped with hook locks.
The locks of Slam automatically close the van once you close the doors, which means you don’t need to think about it. Deadlocks are more difficult to choose since they do not have spring mechanism. No matter which type you choose, look for locks that are certified by Thatcham, because they could reduce the cost of insurance if installed.
We suggest professional installation and cautious installation. Hook lock catch catches placed when placed in the right areas will stop thieves from ‘peeling’ the doors’ upper parts in which the thin metals that are used in modern vans could be used to gain access.
Some believe that excessive security can attract criminals to the things you’re trying keep secure inside. However, if you truly need to protect yourself from burglars You could think about something similar to The TVL Security ArmourShell with interlocking components that are ‘invulnerable to force’.
- Guard your valuables
The only way to avoid having something stolen from your vehicle is to make sure you don’t put it in the van. However, this isn’t always feasible, especially with regard to the tools and equipment you’re always making use of. You should instead consider adding an additional layer of security for your van’s tool security.
This can be as simple as an on-board van security system that locks – like locks-able tool boxes or small van safes, which are also called tools vaults (Van Vault is among the most popular brand names) as well as a complete vehicle security cage. With the use of internal locks and additional metal work, it’s similar to having a van inside your vehicle.
There are also easy-to-install electronic devices that will alert that you are at risk of being burgled for instance, an alarm like the Vanmate alarm. The low-cost (under £40) battery-powered device can be installed in a matter of minutes, it has a booming alarm of 125dB and is said to activate when the door to your rear is opened.
Another factor to think about is a dashcam, which can record both indoors and outdoors. It can only be useful in the event that it wirelessly transmits video to the cloud through wireless Wi-Fi on mobile devices. It will not be useful if footage of criminals on the move is stolen along with other data.
Like all other things, don’t expect these items to provide you a 100% guarantee against theft. They will, however, slow criminals, which could allow you or other passers-by the opportunity to notify the police or force the thieves to abandon their pursuit completely.
- Stop smashing and grabbing van theft
If your vehicle is left without supervision in a quiet location potential thieves could attempt to smash a window to gain entry to the inside. The cost-effective window film could make this even harder by keeping the glass that has been smashed and stopping it from breaking into pieces. The best solutions are for the outside and inside.
Except for the possibility of using them to demonstrate that you that there’s nothing in the vehicle windows, vans with windows at the rear are better avoided completely due to the following reasons. A well-constructed, secured bulkhead can block access to the loading space from broken windows inside the cabin.
Consider disabling any buttons on the cab that allow access to the load compartment without having a key. Numerous van manufacturers have issued software updates to address this issue, so be sure that your van has the most recent version of software. As mentioned above the faraday box or pouch is a good idea to stop relay attacks that take advantages of entry devices that are keyless.
It’s also not a bad idea including a ‘no tools are stored in this car sticker, if you haven’t had one in the past.
- Keep your cat safe how do you secure things on the exterior of your van to prevent the theft
The theft of catalytic converters is increasing because the precious metals which cleans your vehicle’s emissions could be worth a significant amount of cash (making the replacement cost expensive as well). The pickups, and particularly vans, are especially vulnerable to this type of theft because they have a greater ground clearance than standard vehicles, which makes it easier to access the underside.
These cat-locks and clamps are designed to deter this kind of crime. Even though they can cost as much as the item they’re trying save be aware of the effect on your business when you’re unable to access your vehicle because the catalytic converter was taken.
Other measures outside of anti-theft to think about are ladder clamp locks lock pipe carriers that are locked and wheel nuts. On many vans , the spare tyre can be easily located beneath the van, therefore an extra wheel lock is essential. By securing these items, you are protecting your business.
- Pay attention to the way and the location you park.
In addition to the theft of the entire van, the location you park makes an immense difference to how susceptible your van is to theft of content. For instance, a popular suggestion from other drivers of vans is to park near walls or other obstacles which will stop thieves from having access to the vulnerable areas of the van. If they’re unable to access the door because they’re too close to something else, they might not be able inside anyhow.
If this isn’t possible then opt for well-lit areas that are crowded enough to make burglaries difficult. Find CCTV cameras and then park them in their view or install your own cameras, possibly linking to your security and alarm systems.
Van security: a brief summary
The most important thing to remember about van security is how you can utilize it.
From not forgetting that you must lock your van, to engaging the alarm or immobiliser systems If you’ve gone through the effort of installing additional van security, ensure that you and your passengers are aware of the system and make it part of your routine each time you step far from your vehicle.