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If you rely on your van to transport your tools to the site or carry valuable business stock, keeping it safe is vital.

Around 31 vans were stolen daily in the UK during 2024, with a combined estimated value of around £200 million. While van thefts went down in 2024 compared to 2023, these numbers show there is still a need to stay one step ahead of potential thieves.

That’s why it's important to take all the necessary safety precautions to protect your van from thieves. Losing your van can put your livelihood at risk.

You also need to guard against thefts from your van. On average a van is broken into every 46 minutes in the UK.

While these statistics are worrying, there are some simple steps you can take to keep thieves at bay.

Tips to stop your van from being stolen

Park smart – Always try and park your van away from dark or secluded areas. Even if you have to walk a few extra minutes, it’s a good idea to park somewhere well-lit and busy.

If you’re using a car park, try and find one that’s staffed and has plenty of lighting.

Keep your keys safe – When you’re at home, keep your keys out of sight and away from the front door. It’s fairly common for thieves to use a stick or something similar to hook keys through the letterbox if they’re left close enough to reach.

If you use a wireless fob, store your keys well away from anywhere thieves could access, preferably inside a pouch or box that can block external signals.

Be secure – Consider fitting an alarm to your van. Not only will it make a loud noise if someone breaks in, it also acts as a deterrent, making it less likely for thieves to target your vehicle. Another good way to put criminals off is to use a good old-fashioned steering lock. If criminals see that you have one, they are less likely to try and steal your van

Tips to stop break-ins

Always lock up – Get into the habit of locking your van even if you’re only leaving it for a moment. Most thieves are opportunists and won’t hesitate if they see an unlocked vehicle.

Close your windows – Make sure you close your windows when you leave your van unattended to prevent ‘fishing.’ This is where thieves use their hands or something like a coat hanger to grab items or unlock the doors.

Take valuables with you – Leaving your phone, wallet, sunglasses, medication, or anything else a thief can earn quick cash from on view in your van is asking for trouble. They won’t hesitate to smash a window to get in, which could cost you more than the stolen items.

Tag your tools – Thieves often target vans because they think there are tools inside. If you must keep your tools in your van, it’s a good idea to clearly mark them with your name or your company name using paint pens. If they're marked up, it’s much harder for criminals to sell them on.

It’s also worth considering storing your tools in a lockable cabinet inside your van and registering them on a property registering website like Immobilise