In this article we will look at some ways of maximising your van alarm security. There are now more light goods vehicles on the road in the UK than lorries, there are an estimated 3.2 million vans on the road in the UK and each one of them is a potential target for thieves. Maximising your van security can help reduce van crime and the fitting of the VanGuardian zonal alarm system could protect the fabric of your vehicle from the first phase criminal damage thieves inflict while they are undetected. with alarm activation on contact it draws unwanted attention to criminal and force thieves to retreat. BEFORE damage is done !
A van alarm is the best way to deter thieves as it draws instant attention to criminal activity on and around your vehicle. But at what point it activates is crucial. factory fitted alarms usually only activate after the doors are open, which is too late the damage is done and once doors are forced open valuable tools are snatched and gone in seconds. Alarms positioned inside the vehicle are weak and ineffective as they are unable to produce enough noise to heard by you or anyone around or they only activate after the doors are open which is too late. the damage is done There are other additional ways to protect your van and recover it should the worst happen. And we will touch on them in a later segment.
Parking the van securely behind a locked gate and fence can help to reduce the chances of theft as it increases the effort involved for them to get into it, and it slows the escape with anything stolen. however that is not always possible so Backing the van up against a wall to block access to the rear and side doors is a good idea if you can. and parking in a well lit area also helps
This is a simple thing to say but not always such a simple thing to do. Removing all your tools from your van and taking them into the workshop or garage each night is an easy thing to say, a logical thing to do but some businesses just have not got space or time. If there is an alternative, such as a lockable storage unit, then it is better you use that as this will help to keep your tools safer.
You can write on your tools and your van with special black light pens, take photos of serial numbers to help prove ownership and you can even engrave your property with a special number. The police will use a system called e-merge to help them identify items and prove ownership, this is also something your insurance company may be able to make use of and it makes tools more difficult for thieves to get rid of
If the tools are worth more than a certain amount, for example, £500, then you could consider taking out insurance on them. This can protect your business against having to buy new tools or replace items that are stolen, but it won’t protect your van ! That’s why we make VanGuardian !
Adding professional signage could deter thieves from actually stealing your van as it is easier to identify and trace and more difficult to hide and get rid of afterwards However, it does advertise the fact that certain tools of the trade are possibly been carried onboard Thieves will use this information when they find out when your van is parked up, leaving the tools inside vulnerable.
Parking in well-lit areas will help to reduce the risk of your van being targeted by thieves. If you can, try and park in an area that has street lights or security lighting installed nearby. This will make it easier for others to see what is happening around your vehicle so they can report any suspicious activity to the local authorities.
Over the past few years, it has been seen that crime spikes during certain times of the year, such as winter when there is a lack of daylight and this makes it easier for thieves to work without being seen. They can also take advantage of Christmas time because people are busy with family and friends and their mind is not on the security of their van, meaning a window of opportunity can arise. This is also a time people may be buying presents for others and a drill might be just what you wanted to offer.
An extra lock doesn’t stop van crime it buys time and only makes it harder for thieves to access your van and increase the chances they will look elsewhere for an easier target. Not every tool theft is opportunistic and sometimes it may even be a planned theft that is designed to remove specific items from your van. This means they will carry tools with them that can help them force locks as well as force the handle itself without the need for a key. And that’s why we make VanGuardian the alarm that activates on contact Drawing instant attention to criminal activity Alerting you when thieves are operating… Before damage is done !
If you are worried about your van being stolen, you could consider installing a VanGuardian GPS alarm alert tracker. This will make it possible for you to locate your vehicle on your smartphone and possibly recover your van if it is stollen this device once armed can also provide a timely text message alert should your vehicle security be compromised in time for you to react, this is very useful if you are away from your vehicle and unable to hear your VanGuardian alarm and are unable to react
Through a combination of the steps you can reduce your chances of becoming a victim of vancrime and avoid having your van damaged, tools stolen or even your van stolen. Whilst van crime is a huge and increasing problem in the UK, installing a VanGuardian zonal alarm system will significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of van crime Eliminating the time thieves need to operate around your van undetected. protects your most valuable asset the VAN itself and safeguards your tools and assets inside.
Michael Horsfall, a seasoned plumbing and heating engineer with over 35 years of trade experience, is the innovative mind behind VanGuardian, a proactive van security solution. His journey into the realm of security was triggered by recurrent incidents of theft, particularly copper pipe theft right from outside his residence in Leeds. The rampant van crimes led him to envision VanGuardian, a patented alarm system engineered to deter theft by activating upon contact, safeguarding assets before any damage occurs. Michael's in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by tradesmen, paired with his endeavor on Dragons' Den to secure investment, underscores his commitment to fostering van safety. His profound expertise and real-world experience equip him with a distinctive insight, making his blogs an invaluable resource for individuals seeking pragmatic advice on van safety and security.
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