Having your work van or its contents stolen can be extremely stressful and damaging to your business. It may take a long time for you to receive money from your insurer, and your payout might not cover your total costs. The incident could also prevent you from working for days or even weeks afterwards while you find replacements for any missing tools and equipment.
All of this means it’s hard to overstate the importance of effective van security. To help ensure you’re up to speed on this crucial topic, here are five ways to make your vehicle and the items within it safer.
- Fit heavy duty door locks
One of the strongest visual deterrents against theft is a heavy duty door lock, and it’s now quick and easy to order these security items online. For example, specialist van equipment and accessories supplier Van Demon offers heavy duty locks that are designed to secure sliding and rear doors. These mechanisms make it harder to break into vehicles and they come complete with counter measures against bump keys.
- Use window grilles and blanks
Window grilles and blanks will prevent criminals from seeing what’s inside your van, making it a less attractive target. These simple but effective accessories, which are often made from sheets of zinc coated steel, are easy to fit and they serve as a visual barrier to the load area.
- Install secure storage
In case thieves do succeed in getting into your van, it’s useful to have secure storage installed within it. You can house any high-value tools and equipment within these containers for added peace of mind. The units are built from strong galvanised steel and they come with pre-drilled holes so that you can fix them firmly to the floor of your van. They feature built-in locking mechanisms too.
- Invest in the latest security technology
Most vans now come with alarms and immobilisers as standard, but if you’re purchasing a new vehicle, make sure the model you go for has these features. You might also want to upgrade your existing security systems. For example, you could install a more advanced electronic alarm. You may benefit from fitting a GPS tracking system as well. This technology can help you to retrieve your van if it’s stolen.
- Use your common sense
As well as adapting your vehicle to make it more secure, there are a range of things you can do when using your van to help keep it out of harm’s way. For example, think carefully about where you park it. Thieves don’t like to be seen or disturbed when they’re breaking into vehicles, so it’s best to leave your van in busy, well-lit locations. Areas covered by CCTV are good too. Whenever possible, leave your vehicle in areas secured by lockable gates or rising bollards.
It might not be practical to do this all the time, but when you can, remove valuables from your van while it’s parked. As well as tools and equipment, this includes any portable devices that you may leave in the front of the vehicle, such as your sat nav, tablet or smartphone.
Unfortunately, there’s always a risk that your work van will be targeted by criminals, but by taking suggestions like these on board, you can make your vehicle less appealing and vulnerable to thieves.
