One in five van drivers is a victim of theft
Thu, 18 Jul 2024
One in five van drivers became a victim of theft in 2023, according to a Freedom of Information request made by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The FOI request found that 15,464 individual cases of theft from vans were reported to police forces across the UK, confirming the ongoing prevalence of the issue.
VW’s research showed that the average value of stolen equipment per van stands at over £1700, meaning that UK tradespeople are facing a bill of up to £1.64 billion in stolen equipment.
Yet despite the risks, 41% of UK van drivers admitted that they continue to leave equipment in their vehicles overnight – over a third (37%) of whom confess that the value of tools left in their van exceeds £2000.
The impact of tool thefts on UK businesses stretches beyond replacing equipment, though, with the majority (57%) of respondents unable to work while their vans are re-stocked and locks repaired.
There is also the further risk of an increase in future insurance premiums for van owners who are on the receiving end of tool theft.
John Ricardo-Neto, Head of Product Planning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, says: "We urge those who own expensive equipment to take extra precautions – securing or removing tools overnight and parking in a well-lit, CCTV-monitored area."
"For those who wish to further increase the security of their vehicles, our range of theft prevention technologies can offer extra protection, allowing van drivers to get back to focusing on their businesses."
Further tips on how van drivers can protect their vehicles can be found here.
