Unfortunately, in recent times, we have seen a huge increase in the number of vans being attacked and broken into, particularly here in the South West.
Some of the perceived increase may be down to more reporting of these crimes through social media groups, but unfortunately it seems no matter how vehicle manufacturers try to enhance their security features, so the thieves become more creative about finding ways around them.
To try and provide more security, there are a number of aftermarket products that can be used to protect your vehicle and belongings from theft. This is particularly important, as whilst your van may be covered by insurance, the tools and products inside are not likely to be. This can cause great inconvenience, as well as cost to you or your company.
What are the different types available you may ask and what is the best form of security for my vehicle? This blog will talk you through how to keep your vehicle secure with maximum protection from theft, so that you can leave your van unattended without having to worry.
Armaplate:
Unfortunately, there are many vulnerable points on vans which are known to provide quick and relatively easy access to the vehicle, if you know what you’re doing and how to get around these security measures.
Some of these include the area around the door handle, where thieves punch holes to try and get to the door release cable. One product designed to stop this type of attack is Armaplate, which is a specially designed stainless steel plate, bolted to the door to protect the vulnerable area. The Armaplate is highly visible and will certainly provide a deterrent to many potential thieves who would normally gain access through this method.
Armaplate protects the vehicle by encasing the vulnerable area, which is known to be around the door lock and handle, providing a tough barrier. Along with an additional steel plate on the inside of the door and the door skin itself, this forms a triple-steel barrier, making it extremely difficult for the thief to access the contents in your van. An advantage of this form of protection is that no key is necessary, so the van driver is able to continue as normal.
One of the major benefits of using the Armaplate is how it eliminates any expensive damage being caused from someone attempting to gain entry.
However, it is important to consider that Armaplate is not suitable or available for every van model and door, so it is advisory that this is researched before purchasing.
Other Methods of Van Protection:
Besides additional locks and protection plates, there are metal guards to protect vehicle wiring looms, in instances when these are accessible. These can sometimes be used to unlock the van, so preventing access to that loom is an obvious benefit.
Catalytic convertors are also a target for some thieves, as they contain a number of precious metals and elements. Even though it has become more difficult to sell these on to scrap merchants, thieves are still targeting them. There is, however, a catalytic converter lock which surrounds the CAT and has steel cables securing it to the van, to prevent easy theft.
Ford Replacement Barrel:
The current Ford Transit and Transit Custom range have suffered with attacks to the driver’s door lock barrel, particularly since the simplicity of gaining entry on these models was highlighted by a number of videos on social media. Consequently, a replacement barrel was developed to prevent this type of attack and provide an ‘anti-pick’ lock to enhance the security further.
Electronic protection systems:
Modern vehicle electronics are becoming more complex in order to increase driver convenience and we are seeing technologies such as keyless entry emerge. Unfortunately, thieves’ techniques to break in or steal the vehicle are advancing alongside these.
To combat this, there are various electronic solutions available, which include motion detectors which can link to your smartphone, CCTV systems which can record from several cameras and also on-board diagnostic system protectors.
Over recent times, thieves have been gaining access to vans and plugging into the on-board diagnostic port, using a laptop and obtaining the necessary codes to aquire a copied key. They will then return to the vehicle at some point in the future and simply drive it away. One case showed where the vehicle was accessed whilst the owner was paying for fuel, to obtain the code and then followed home, only for them to return a few days later with a perfectly operational key. Consequently, electronics companies have now created a device which prevents this from happening.
With ever more creative ways of breaking into or stealing vehicles, the development continues into ways to fight them and which method is better will often come down to personal choice.
Many of the products available focus on a specific weak point on the vehicle, but few provide total all round protection, with perhaps Deadlocks being the best way to try and stop your possessions, tools and potentially livelihood being stolen from you.