Vehicle recovery expert, Tracker Network, urges Ford Transit owners to be on their guard when it comes to van thefts.
Tracker Network (UK) has revealed the Ford Transit was the most stolen van it recovered during 2021, accounting for 64% of all Tracker LCV recoveries.
“It may come as no surprise that thieves use the cover of darkness to steal vehicles.” comments Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker Network. “There is never a good time to fall victim to van theft, but losing your van, the tools or goods in them and potentially your ability to work, might be harder to bear right now.”
All vans at risk
It’s not only Ford Transits that van thieves are targeting. The Mercedes Benz Sprinter, which has been one of the UK’s best-selling vans, is also a prime target, as the second most stolen and recovered vehicle in 2021, closely followed by the Peugeot Boxer and Vauxhall Combo. With a global shortage of spare parts, Tracker is warning that even vans in a poor condition can be appealing to thieves, as they can be stolen to strip for parts in ‘chop’ shops.
Clive Wain continues: “It doesn’t matter if you are a one-man-band or bigger business, no-one can afford the financial and emotional burden which a van theft can bring. On average tool theft costs tradespeople £5,584 and a massive £5,982 in missed jobs . We always encourage drivers to use traditional security deterrents such as crook locks and wheel clamps to deter criminals and protect their vehicles. Smart doorbells or a CCTV system at work or home are also increasingly popular amongst those keen to guard against unwanted visitors. However, in the event of a theft, stolen vehicle tracking technology will significantly help police quickly close the net on thieves and return the vehicle and its contents to its rightful owner.”
Recovery rates
Tracker has an unrivalled stolen vehicle recovery rate of more than 95%, with 80% of those stolen vehicles recovered within 24 hours, thanks to its exclusive nationwide partnership with the UK’s police. Tracker’s solutions work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t know it’s there. VHF technology unique to Tracker makes its units resistant to GPS/GSM jamming, confirming Tracker as a superior security defence against determined thieves.
Tracker’s ten van security tips
- Don’t keep keys in a place where they can be seen or accessed from outside and if your van has a keyless entry system, consider storing your keys in a Faraday pouch to block the signal against relay attack technology.
- Never leave the keys in the vehicle’s ignition when you are stepping away from the vehicle, even if you are just jumping out quickly.
- Never leave your van running unattended when carrying out tasks like de-icing.
- Always lock and secure your vehicle and remember old-school physical deterrents like steering wheel locks are still effective.
- Do not leave belongings or technology items on display, such as satnavs or mobile phones.Take them with you or lock them in the boot.
- Avoid leaving tools in your van overnight and remove anything stored externally on your vehicle.
- Keep a list and photographic evidence of your tools and mark them with a UV pen so they can be easily identified and returned if stolen.
- Never leave van documents or spare keys inside the vehicle – this only makes it easier for thieves to sell it on.
- Where possible park in busy or well-lit and attended car parks near CCTV cameras.
- Consider fitting a tracking device to help police recover your vehicle if it’s stolen
