UK van drivers are neglecting to take the security of their vehicles and contents seriously, with three-quarters knowingly leave themselves at risk to thieves.
The research, conducted by business comparison site iCompario, surveyed 1,000 UK van drivers who use their vehicle for work purposes about the actions they take to secure both their vehicle and contents when not in use. Three-quarters (76%) of those surveyed admitted to not taking sufficient care to protect their property and deter thieves.
A total of 77% confessed they don’t have an alarm or immobiliser installed within their vehicle. A further 45% fail to lock their van when it’s not in use.
And iCompario, which provides business comparisons on fuel cards, telematics systems and hardware, and business telecoms services, also found a staggering 64% admitted they fail to remove their tools and other valuable items from their van when it’s not being driven, despite the role these items play in their livelihood.
Almost all of the UK van drivers surveyed (95%) are yet to secure the catalytic converter on their vehicle too, despite thefts of this part increasing significantly since the first Covid-19 lockdown began in March 2020.
Meanwhile, eight in ten (81%) UK van drivers also said they don’t park their van in a way that could stop a thief from being able to open or break the lock such as parking against a wall.
Furthermore, just a quarter (24%) ensure they park their van somewhere extra secure at night and just three in ten (31%) have a dashcam fitted for when they’re out on the road.
When quizzed about previous break-ins and theft experiences, a secured compound or workplace car park, a locked garage at home, or the van owner’s driveway were found to be hotspots (32% combined), despite appearing to be some of the most secure options.
According to the study, the most likely times for van related crime to take place is between 4am and 8am (22%), or between midday and 4pm (21%).
iCompario also sent out FOI requests to police forces across the country to find out how many vans were stolen or broken into between 2018-2022.
Of the 21 police authorities that responded to the request for information, Leicestershire was the UK’s number one van break-in or theft hotspot, with 10,494 crimes recorded between 2018 and 2022.
Van Theft and Break-Ins: The UK Hotspots:
Leicestershire – 10,494
Hertfordshire – 9,740
Avon and Somerset – 6,832
Surrey – 5,145
South Wales – 3,919
Derbyshire – 3,724
Northamptonshire – 3,523
Sussex – 3,180
West Midlands – 2,974
Dorset – 2,591
Cheshire – 1,830
Staffordshire – 1,448
Gwent – 1,362
South Yorkshire – 1,226
Nottinghamshire – 1,130
Comparatively, the Welsh counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys have seen the lowest numbers of van crimes, with just 50 recorded since 2018.
UK Areas with Lowest Numbers of Van Thefts and Break-In:
Welsh counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys – 50
Cumbria – 86
Cleveland – 550
North Yorkshire – 654
Cambridgeshire – 783
The Ford Transit is the van most targeted make and model by thieves across the whole of the country, according to the FOI findings.
Other van makes and models that have proven most popular with thieves include the Mercedes Sprinter, Vauxhall Vivaro, and the Citroën Berlingo.
Kerry Fawcett, digital director at iCompario, said: “As experts in van insurance, whether using your vehicle for work or leisure, we recommend taking plenty of precautions to protect your vehicle. By failing to do so, you risk not only leaving yourself open potential thieves, but you may also invalidate your insurance when having to make a claim.
“Much like the regular vehicle maintenance checks that should be made like topping up your oil or checking your tyre pressure, making the time each day to ensure you van is parked safely and securely when not in use should be at the forefront of every van driver’s mind.”
Further information on the study and tips on van security can be found here.
