There has been a noticeable increase in vans being broken into, and tools being subsequently stolen. The theft increase is occurring in villages, towns and cities alike. This in mind, security precautions for your van are more important than ever and prevention is the key for not being caught out.
If practical, you may want to remove any high-value tools or items from your van when it’s parked on a main street as oppose to a garage. This may seem like an inconvenience, but it is one of the best measures of prevention you can take.
Make sure you have tool insurance for all valuable tools, this may require specific actions to happen when storing overnight, so check your terms and conditions.
Marking your tools for identification purposes is a wise thing to do – in the unfortunate case that something did go missing you can easily identify your tools.
Branding or markings will make the tools difficult to sell or get rid of for thieves. Paint, markers or any other form of identification are great, they just need to be difficult to remove.
Think carefully about where you leave your vehicle, park your van smartly. When leaving your van for any length of time whether it be in the day or overnight you need to take precautions. Leaving your van with the sliding and back doors close to walls is a great method.
This won’t allow any tools to be removed easily or your van to be broken into with ease. Only park your van in well-lit areas and preferably areas with CCTV on your van. This allows more chance for an eye witness or the thief to be caught on CCTV.
Your locks are the last point of protection your van has, so make sure they are fit for your vehicle. Slamlocks automatically lock your door when shut, designed for high security vehicles. Slamlocks have been manufactured to resist attack and tampering.
Deadlocks prevent a door being opened until the correct key is used, the mechanism means that only the correct key can be used, preventing tampering.
Armaplate locks enclose the whole vulnerable area in casing, designed to dramatically reduce damage to and theft from light commercial vehicles. This provides a triple steel barrier between a thief and the contents of your van.
There are many ways you can help your business to prevent tool thieves, with the rising numbers it is so important to be prepared. The biggest tip running throughout this advice would be to keep your keys safe and in sight all the time. Prevention is the best way you can protect your livelihood.