UK tradespeople reported a staggering £3.5 billion value of stolen gear final 12 months.
In keeping with analysis by Volkswagen Industrial Autos, device theft has elevated by 33% since 2020, with a 3rd (36%) of van drivers falling sufferer within the final 12 months.
The common worth of instruments stolen per van final 12 months stands at simply over £2,000.
The research additionally revealed that just about half (48%) of van drivers confess to holding greater than £2,150 value of instruments of their vans in a single day.
From a monetary perspective, van homeowners who’re on the receiving finish of device theft are vulnerable to a rise in future insurance coverage premiums.
With theft on the rise, there has by no means been a extra urgent time for van drivers to make sure that their automobiles are protected.
Listed below are Volkswagen Monetary Providers’ high tips about the very best methods van drivers can shield their automobiles:
- Be a acutely aware parker – When potential, make sure that the van is parked in a well-lit place which is seen to passers-by, not in areas that are secluded and darkish
- Keep alert, bear in mind – Verify your environment earlier than offloading your instruments – savvy thieves can spot a excessive worth device and are keen to take dangers to steal them
- Monitor your car – Think about becoming your van, or instruments, with a monitoring machine in an effort to see the place they’re always
- “No instruments on board” – One of the best ways to forestall your instruments from being stolen is to not depart them within the van, particularly in a single day. For those who take away your automobiles out of your van, then take into account affixing an indication to the van saying ‘no instruments left in car in a single day’
- Take notice – For those who do want to depart any instruments in your automobiles, then make sure that they’re safety marked (noting the serial numbers of all instruments can be suggested). In case your instruments are tagged, then put a sticker on them to promote this truth
- Taking further precautionary measures – Generally instruments must be left in a car, in a weak location. If so, then take into account becoming extra security locks to the rear and aspect door, or set up lockable racking and secure containers, making it more durable for thieves to interrupt in
Volkswagen Industrial Autos understands the significance of incorporating theft prevention expertise into its automobiles, to guard van homeowners.
As an illustration, the all-electric ID. Buzz Cargo is fitted with an anti-theft alarm system, inside monitoring within the cab, back-up horn and towing safety as commonplace. When activated, the anti-theft alarm system sounds the horn and prompts the hazard lights, making certain that bypassers are conscious there was an unwelcome intrusion.