According to the latest figures from vehicle tracker and security firm Global Telemetrics, the Ford Transit van is the fourth most stolen vehicle in the UK.
This should come as no surprise, really, given the rise of van theft in recent years and the reality that there are far more Transits on the road than any other type of van. But it’s food for thought if you haven’t already considered upgrading your van security.
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How worried should I be about van theft?
The latest Global Telemetrics stats are from the first half of 2021 (the period from January to June), and the company’s operations manager, Gavin Hennessy believes the Covid-19 lockdowns haven’t helped.
Hennessy says: ‘Spending more time at home means car thieves have more opportunity than ever to scope out potential targets, safe in the knowledge that the keys are in close proximity.’
Accordingly, ‘keyless entry, hijacking and burglary remain the three main approaches employed by would-be thieves.’
What can I do to protect my van from theft?
Well, we have a full guide to van security right here on Parkers that includes a number of tips and tricks you can use to protect your van – some of which will cost you absolutely nothing.
Global Telemetrics is one of a number of firms that specialises in vehicle tracking equipment, which can help make recovery of your stolen van much quicker and more straightforward.
But as Hennessy points out: ‘So many thefts are avoidable if keys were stored safely, whether in a faraday bag or box to block keyless entry signals or hidden away in an unlikely location to avoid any ‘smash and grab’ opportunities. Simple changes that don’t make it easy for thieves really can make a huge difference to overall theft figures.’
Are any areas particularly prone to van theft and vehicle crime?
The ‘hotspots’ apparently remain unchanged: London, West Midlands, Essex, Kent and Manchester see the most vehicle thefts – but that’s in part due to the ‘saturation of prestige vehicles in these areas.’
The reality is that your van could be at risk wherever you park it if you aren’t taking security seriously.
What sorts of Transits are most likely to be stolen?
Global Telematics hasn’t clarified, but we believe it’s using the Transit term to cover all of the Ford models with that name in the title – so not just the Transit large van but also the UK’s bestselling van, the Ford Transit Custom medium van represents a high-risk vehicle.
This is partly down to numbers sold, but it’s also worth noting that Ford has come in for criticism about the quality of its locks in recent years, with an upgrade option available right from the pricelist, let alone from the many third-party suppliers.
The latest Ford vans do offer additional levels of protect thanks to their built-in connectivity, however, with innovations such as SecuriAlert warning you about a break-in even if the thieves are using a key.
What other vehicles are in the most stolen top 10?
Seven of the top 10 – including all of the top three – are Land Rovers. While these are mostly prestigious Range Rover models, this list includes the Land Rover Defender in ninth spot. And though thieves are more likely to target cherished examples than working commercial 4x4s, this is another vehicle that’s well worth considering additional protection for.
The rest of the top 10 is made up by a pair of BMWs (the X5 and X6). However, recent Global Telematics recoveries include examples of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. So don’t be complacent.
Also read:
>> The Parkers guide to van security
>> Keyless van theft on the rise
>> Van theft up 45% in four years
>> Ford SecuriAlert is new name for Ford Guard Mode, free boost to van security
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