The number of van thefts in the UK in 2023 climbed 18% from 2022’s figures to reach 12,950. One of those vans and its contents may have been yours. If so, you have first-hand experience of the inconvenience and unexpected costs the theft of a van can cause. Effective van theft prevention can’t be left to one solution only. It requires a strategic and broad approach that includes traditional measures, advanced technologies, vigilance, and a certain amount of know-how.
We’ve put together a few tips on how to prevent van theft and how to create a theft prevention plan, making it easier for you to protect your assets, whether you manage a fleet or simply want to ensure that your camper van is safe.
Van Theft Prevention Tips and Techniques
Our van security ideas draw on a variety of solutions, from physical locks to the use of reliable tracking devices and parking strategies. Use these tips and techniques to enhance the security of your vehicles.
1. Upgrade Your Locks
Upgrading your vehicle’s locks is another simple but effective van anti-theft tip. While vans usually have standard manufacturer-fit locks, these security measures are no match for organised thieves’ lock-picking tools. In addition to upgrading your van’s standard locks, consider installing additional external locks, such as slam locks, deadlocks, and catalytic converter locks.
2. Use Traditional Deterrents
Some traditional van theft prevention measures still offer effective security for your van, even if only to act as additional deterrents to would-be thieves. Consider adding pedal clamps or pedal locks and steering wheel locks to your van anti-theft arsenal. While these measures are not foolproof, they do mean that thieves need to work harder and for longer when trying to steal your vehicle, increasing the chances of them being caught in the act.
3. Install Tracking Devices
If, despite your best efforts, thieves manage to steal your van, a tracking device can increase the chances of your van or camper van being recovered by the police. Install a robust tracking system from Crystal Ball to take advantage of cutting-edge technologies and strengthen your van theft prevention measures.
These van anti-theft devices work with GPS technology to let you know where your vehicle is at all times. Our vehicle tracking devices are packed with other features aimed at further enhancing security as well as generating data that is invaluable for fleet managers when making informed operational decisions. Some of these features include fuel consumption, historical journeys, driver behaviour monitoring, and customisable reports and analytics.
4. Upgrade Alarms and Immobilisers
Upgrading alarms and immobilisers is a van security idea that some vehicle owners and fleet managers don’t consider. While most vans have a manufacturer-fit alarm system, these systems usually are quite basic. Consider upgrading your vehicle’s alarm system to one that offers a range of features, such as alarm activation at first point of contact or integration with smartphones for updates and remote immobilisation.
5. Prevent Relay Attacks
Many newer van models use keyless entry and/or keyless start technologies. Unfortunately, these technologies are not completely effective as van anti-theft devices due to their vulnerability to relay attacks. In these attacks, thieves use relay technology to transfer the signal from your van’s key to a portable device, which they use to steal your vehicle. Protect your keyless key from relay attacks by storing it in a Faraday-style pouch or a wallet capable of blocking the signal.
6. Use a Parking Strategy
You or your drivers may be tempted to park your van in the most convenient parking space available, but this might not be the best option when it comes to van theft prevention. Use the following parking strategies to bolster the security of your van:
- Park in well-lit areas to deter would-be van thieves.
- Install CCTV and automatic security lights in your parking area and park in view of CCTV cameras whenever possible elsewhere.
- Park the back of your van as close as possible to a wall, as this can prevent or obstruct people from accessing your vehicle’s loading area.
How to Create a Van Anti-Theft Plan
Protecting your fleet’s vans requires strong measures, common sense, and a strategic approach to security. Creating and implementing a strong van anti-theft plan can help you choose the best theft prevention measures for your organisation’s unique needs and ensure that you have comprehensive protection. Follow these steps to create a van theft prevention plan:
- Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential risks on your premises and in areas your vans travel to regularly.
- Evaluate your van’s specific vulnerabilities as well as past van theft incidents and local crime rates.
- Choose advanced van anti-theft devices and other security measures that can be tailored to your fleet’s needs.
- Review your van anti-theft plan regularly to address evolving risks and to integrate new technologies.
Train your drivers and other fleet staff to adopt van security best practices, such as keeping doors locked and keys safe, removing valuables from vehicles overnight, using traditional and new van anti-theft devices, and parking strategically. Encourage your employees to be vigilant in high-risk areas and to follow protocols for loading and unloading cargo. Provide frequent security briefings and written guidelines and incentivise secure practices to encourage compliance. Ensure that you update your training materials regularly.
Protect Your Vans with Crystal Ball
Using our tips on how to prevent vehicle theft can certainly increase the security of your camper van or fleet vans. However, there may come a time when a thief manages to steal your van, which makes motor insurance essential.
Make sure you choose the right cover for your needs, whether it be private van insurance or commercial van insurance such as for carriage of own goods, carriage of goods for hire or reward, or haulage.
Choose Crystal Ball’s solutions to protect your van from theft. Contact us today to find out how we can help you secure your fleet.