Industry data has revealed that a van is stolen in the UK every 46 minutes. During 2024, that equated to 11,273 vans going missing with only two out of every five being recovered by police. and the costs to businesses extend far beyond replacing the vehicle itself – there’s loss of cargo, equipment, tools, missed deliveries and cancelled jobs. Industry body, Logistics UK, has estimated the total financial impact at around £200m.
The darker months of the year are when most van thefts occur. The 2025 peak was in October and November. To help keep your van secure, Logistics UK has compiled seven simple protocols to keep criminals at bay:
- When you’re not in your van, don’t leave keys near doors or windows where they can be easily spotted. Keep remotes for keyless vans in a signal locking pouch.
- Whenever possible when parking your van overnight, leave it in a well-lit, overlooked place or, even better, a security-controlled location.
- Remove valuables – including documentation – when parking up overnight.
- Consider adding physical security – a steering wheel or pedal lock. Anything that makes it harder to steal the vehicle.
- Brief your drivers on key control arrangements, parking expectations and how to report suspicious activity.
- Consider tracking and immobilisation for your vehicles.
- And, keep accurate records of vehicles, cargoes, tools – including serial numbers. take photos and add ID marks, all of which will support insurance claims and any police investigation, should, despite your best efforts, your van go missing.