Arval is releasing new advice to fleet operators in the light of reports that thefts from vans are rising rapidly.
New figures obtained by the BBC from 45 police forces show that thefts from vans have increased from 14,063 in 2014/15 to 22,749 in 2016/17. A van is broken into every 23 minutes.
Simon Cook, LCV Manager at Arval, explained: “This is very much in line with what we are hearing from fleets at the moment. Van crime occurs in cycles and our feeling is that we are very much on an upswing.
“What tends to happen is that thieves devise a new method of breaking into a van, operators adopt ways of preventing it, and there follows a decrease in the crime. Then, new techniques start to appear, and the whole thing happens again.”
Simon said that the newer methods of theft involved using tools to break through the structure of the vehicle and obtaining commercially available transponder keys to open vans.
“Manufacturers are trying to increase payload and one method of this is to reduce the weight of the van by using lighter steel. Unfortunately, this means that it is easier to use tools to cut through the fabric of the van or to bend door frames.
“Certainly, we have seen instances where doors and other panels have been opened like a can of beans and the contents of the van taken. It is quite a sight.
“The transponder keys are a smaller problem because manufacturers have done much to reduce their effectiveness on newer models. However, they are still affecting some vehicles that currently remain on fleets.”
Arval has written a five-point guide to van security that it is issuing to fleet customers in the light of these security issues:
- Fit the right security equipment
Look at which will be the best way to protect your van and make thieves move on. Popular solutions include slam locks and trackers.
- Protect the keys
Modern van locking systems make it comparatively difficult to break into many vans through the locks, so thieves often target the keys, Ensure that drivers keep them secure and out of sight.
- Should your van be branded?
A heavily liveried van is a good advertisement – but also an indication of what is inside. If you are being targeted by thieves, adopting plain, white vans might be a good move. Many major fleets use only white vans.
- Park the van in a sensible place
If your van is being left for a long period of time, especially overnight, make sure that is parked close to an occupied building or in a conspicuous location. There are even reports of thieves wearing high-visibility clothing when breaking into vans in the daytime, hiding in plain sight.
- Get the right advice
Making your van fleet more secure can be an expensive business. You can easily add up to £1,000 to the cost of a van in locks and other items. Make sure that you are getting professional advice that enables you to fit the right equipment to the right vans operating in the right areas.
Simon continued: “We work very closely with fleets to examine the kind of crime that is affecting their fleet and come up with the best solutions. This can range from knowing which kind of lock works best on a particular model of van to interrogating insurance statistics to identify which of your vehicles are operating in high-crime areas.”
