Tradespeople parking their vans near busy event sites are being urged to take precautions to protect their vehicles and equipment.
Motoring experts have named six effective tips to help van owners avoid theft while on the job this summer.
Tradespeople working long hours at summer events can be prime targets for opportunistic thieves, as their vans are often left unsupervised for long periods of time and parked in unfamiliar areas.
It’s always important to try and choose a parking spot that’s in a well-lit and busy area, as it makes it harder for thieves to operate unnoticed. If possible, it’s good to back up against a wall or fence, so the rear doors can’t be accessed.
It’s also worth considering installing safety equipment, such as steering wheel locks, pedal boxes, or dash cameras, as they act as strong visual deterrents.
Tradespeople who are parking up overnight are also reminded to remove the valuables from the vehicle or lock them in a separate secure unit.
John Wilmot, CEO and founder of car leasing deals site LeaseLoco said: “Festival sites can be hotspots for van theft during the summer, as thieves know there’ll be plenty of vehicles left unattended for hours. Enhancing your van’s security doesn’t have to be expensive; simple precautions can go a long way. Parking choices play a huge role in van security. Make sure to avoid dark and quiet corners of a festival site, and try to back up against a wall so that it’s harder to access the doors. Installing decent security equipment will also deter thieves. If it looks like it’s going to be hard work to break into your van, thieves are more likely to move on to an easier target.”
Here are six tips to help tradespeople prevent van theft during festival season:
1. Park wisely
Try to choose a parking spot that’s in a well-lit and high-traffic area where there’s a higher chance for thieves to be seen.
2. Block access to doors
If possible, reverse your van against a wall or a fence to block access to the rear doors. If you have sliding doors on the side, try parking tight against another vehicle or structure on the side.
3. Add visible deterrents
Thieves are often looking for the easiest targets, so anything that makes it look like your van will be a challenge to break into can work in your favour. Steering, handbrake, and slam locks are low-cost but effective ways to put criminals off.
4. Install an alarm
Most vans come with basic alarm systems, but aftermarket options offer more advanced protection and customisation. These could be door sensors, motion detectors, and shock sensors – all designed to detect suspicious activity.
5. Don’t keep valuables in the van overnight
Although it may be convenient to leave your tools and other valuables in the van overnight, it’s a big risk. Tools can be costly to replace if they’re stolen, and it may also mean you won’t be able to work the next day. If possible, remove the valuables from the vehicle overnight or if not, lock them in a secure tool vault inside the van.
6. Use a dash cam
Modern dash cams can also be used for deterring theft, as they do more than just record you while driving. Many now include motion detection, parking mode camera, and even send real-time alerts to your phone.