September 2022

The top van theft and
break-in hotspots in the UK
The areas with the lowest
thefts and break-ins
that there isn’t room to get in at the side, and so
the back doors are up against a wall or garage.
Essentially you want to try and limit potential
access points as much as possible.
Invest in more locks
Extra locks are a great way to add further
protection and get peace of mind. There are a
variety of locks that can be useful to avoid van
theft such as a slam lock, steering wheel locks, a
deadlock and a catalytic converter lock.
As it stands, almost all of the UK van drivers
surveyed (95%) are yet to secure the catalytic
converter on their vehicle too, despite thefts of
this part increasing significantly in the last couple
of years. These are particularly sought-after
because they’re made from some precious metals
which can be sold on.
Fit an extra immobiliser
Over three in four (77%) van drivers don’t
currently have an alarm or immobiliser installed
in their vehicle. An immobiliser ensures that the
vehicle can only be started with the right key, so
hot wiring doesn’t work.
Vans made since October 1998 will have a
factory-fitted immobiliser, but thieves are
getting more clued up on the ways to avoid or
get around them, so an intelligent immobiliser is
advisable.
Get a tracking device
It can be extremely difficult to track down a
van or the contents once stolen as the recovery
figures show. Installing telematics devices or
GPS trackers can help you, the police or your
insurance company to locate your vehicle if it has
been stolen.
Kerry Fawcett, Digital Director at iCompario
concluded: “As experts in van insurance,
whether using your vehicle for work or leisure,
we recommend taking plenty of precautions to
protect your vehicle.
“Much like the regular vehicle maintenance
checks that should be made like topping up your
oil or checking your tyre pressure, making the
time each day to ensure you van is parked safely
and securely when not in use should be at the
forefront of every van driver’s mind.”
Contact iCompario:
www.icompario.com/en-gb/
@iCompario
PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
SEPTEMBER 2022 TI 79