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How to Theft-Proof Your Van

Vanaways
Vanaways
8th Dec 2022
How to Theft-Proof Your Van

Approximately 47,000 commercial vehicles are stolen in the UK each year, not to mention contents theft. With commercial vehicles and their contents likely being absolutely vital to the running of your business, you should try your best to deter would-be thieves and make your van impregnable.

Whatever your security requirements, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and take appropriate steps to protect your van against theft. Read on to discover some of the most reliable ways of theft-proofing your van.

Choose the right locks for the job

It may go without saying, but locks are a must-have for any commercial van driver. Ensuring that your van is fully locked when unattended can be the difference between receiving an insurance pay-out or not, should you fall victim to van or van contents theft.

Another factor to consider is the type of lock you use. Different locks are available for different scenarios, for instance:

Deadlocks: These are ideal for those who leave their vans unattended for a long period of time, usually parked outside and/or in an insecure area. They provide an extra layer of security as, even if thieves manage to tackle the standard lock, they would still need to overcome the deadlock to gain entry.

Slam locks: If your job requires you to constantly lock and unlock your van – such as a delivery driver or postman – or you are prone to forgetting to lock it, a slam lock would be ideal. With this kind of lock, the lock is engaged as soon as you close the door of your van.

Park smart

How you park your van can make it a lot harder for thieves to gain access to it. In fact, if the task of breaking into your van seems too difficult or time-consuming, they may even be put off completely.

One of the more obvious steps you can take is to park in a well-lit area, ideally on a residential street – would-be thieves will likely be deterred by the prospect of being identifiable and/or being seen by residents in nearby houses.

Another parking tip is to back up against a wall, as this will ensure that the rear loading doors of your van aren’t accessible. If you can manoeuvre yourself into a corner, therefore blocking both the rear and one side of your van, even better!

Protect your cargo

The only way to guarantee the safety of your cargo is to avoid keeping anything in your unattended van. However, this isn’t always practical so, instead, you could install extra security measures inside your van. Such measures can range from a security box right through to a full van security cage. Whatever you choose, remember: twice the protection means twice the effort for any would-be thieves.

Electronic security devices like GPS trackers, alarms, or dashcams can also go a long way to deter would-be thieves, particularly if they are made glaringly obvious. Plus, they can help you recover your van or its contents should the thief succeed.

If you’re looking for cheap new vans for your business, look no further than Van Sales UK. Stocking everything from small vans right through to large tipper vans, you’re sure to find one that works for you. We also offer vans on finance, with a range of options available.  Contact us today for more information.

Vanaways Reviews

   
Zoe Batchelor

Zoe Batchelor

17 January 2025

"Love the van, Perfect as the spec I ordered, Saving up for the next one, thank you Adrian and Team, Boyd Batchelor, Tillage Nurseries"

Clare Wood

Clare Wood

19 November 2024

"Just purchased a 2nd van through Vanaways to add to our company fleet. Steve Catley was helpful, communicative and informative all the way through the process. We would definitely use Vanaways again, and would not hesitate to recommend them."

JPA

JPA

05 December 2024

"Paige was outstanding in her responsiveness to what presented as a serious problem for our company. The finance company used by her company caused unnecessary and significant delays in the delivery of our van - the pain of which was mitigated somewhat by Paige's proactive communication, informative and realistic communication and very professional demeanour. I'd recommend her and she meant our view of Vanaways was overall positive."

Lisa Russell

Lisa Russell

05 August 2024

"Found these guys online and was a little bit wary to buy a new van from someone I hadn't heard of. From the off, the first phone call was professional and gave me all the information that I needed, Theo was great, helpful and I proceeded to order my new van, Paige sorted the paperwork quickly and efficiently and within 10 days I had my new van delivered! The price was very competitive and all parts of the transaction were easy and hassle free, wouldn't hesitate to recommend these guys, Thank you so much for a really good experience."

Jenny Lowe

Jenny Lowe

20 August 2024

"SUPERB SERVICE!!! Bought a new van using Vanaways, seamless service! Helpful and friendly, explained everything in great detail, and nothing was too much trouble! Lots of calls along the way to check and update progress and "beginning to end" great customer service! Joe and Hannah are amazing!!! Definitely recommend and will use again!"

4.9 out of 5 from 440 reviews
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