Summer heat identified as a key factor in rising tool theft incidents

Tool theft from vans remains a perennial concern amongst van drivers, and indeed we’ve covered the scale of the problem in a recent post on the blog. It’s a particular risk in summer, as new figures are now showing. The latest figures from Direct Line Business Insurance show 12,414 thefts from vehicles in 2024 alone, and nearly half of those involved tools. That trend has triggered fresh warnings from insurers and security specialists who are tracking patterns across the trade.

There’s a number of reasons why more tool thefts tend to happen in warmer temperatures, and a lot of them are to do with changes in working habits. Lots of drivers cover more miles and work longer hours during the summer, which means that high temperatures, packed schedules and longer daylight hours create more pressure across the day. So, if you’re familiar with that kind of situation, here’s what you need to know!

Why are so many tools getting stolen?

As we’ve touched on above, theft from vans often rises during the summer for a specific set of reasons tied to driver behaviour. Long hours on the road make it harder to stick to secure habits, and when you’re moving between several jobs in quick succession, that can make it easier to accidentally leave your van unattended. And of course, the more often a van is left unguarded, the higher the risk of someone attempting to break in or remove gear. Vans that are carrying visible tools and left without supervision tend to attract particular attention, especially in areas with light security or minimal foot traffic.

There’s also the issue of heat, which affects working patterns directly. When temperatures rise, it’s not unusual to prop open windows or roof vents to improve airflow – and it makes the van much less unpleasant to get back into at the end of the day. However, even a small opening can pose a security risk – and doors may be left unlocked during short stops, or tools may remain visible through the glass. All of them are forgivable on their own, but over the course of a day they can all stack up. Long daylight hours extend the time that vans remain in use, which increases the number of exposed vehicles on the road and on site.

5 ways to keep your tools safe

If any of the above habits sound familiar, don’t worry – if you’re doing them too, you’re far from the only one! The crucial thing is to ensure that you nip them in the bud now, or make sure not to start them. And if you’re still concerned about security, it can help to take a quick look at our five easy steps give you control over common risks and help protect tools in everyday working conditions.

Park in well-lit, busy areas

When you’re parking, it’s always best to choose locations with strong lighting and high visibility, since busy areas make it harder for anyone to approach unnoticed. Car parks with security cameras or high foot traffic add another layer of visibility. By the same token, avoid isolated laybys or side streets when leaving the van unattended.

Install a van alarm and tracker

One good way to give yourself peace of mind is to fit an aftermarket alarm to alert you immediately if anyone interferes with the van. Choose a tracker with live GPS monitoring so you can share the van’s location with police in real time. Some systems send alerts to your phone when doors are opened or movement is detected, so you can use these to react quickly and recover the vehicle if needed.

Use heavy-duty locks on doors and storage units

This is a slightly obvious one, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering – upgrade standard factory locks with slamlocks or deadlocks to create a barrier at the entry points. Add extra security inside the van with bolted storage boxes or cages. You can also keep expensive tools locked inside secondary compartments to delay access and discourage forced entry attempts.

Take tools out of the van overnight

Of course, one of the easiest ways to prevent your tools from being stolen is to ensure that they’re not there to steal in the first place. Unload everything at the end of the day and store it securely indoors. As well as foiling potential intruders, it’s also worth noting that vans that don’t contain tools are far less likely to be targeted in the first place, so you might want to place a clear sticker or sign on the vehicle that says no tools are left inside. This acts as a visible deterrent to anyone considering breaking in during the night.

Etch your company name or ID into tools

If you’ve had tools stolen before, you may want to consider using engraving tools or forensic marking products to tag every item. Plus, make sure to log serial numbers and register tools on a national database. Clearly marked tools are easier to trace and harder to sell, so police can return recovered items to you and use the markings as evidence if they end up making an arrest.

Older vans can sometimes be more vulnerable to break-ins due to the lack of modern security features, so if you’re looking at investing in a brand new van, that’s exactly where we can help here at Van Discount. With over 20 years of experience in the best van deals, we’ll make sure you find the perfect van that fits your needs, including models from leading manufacturers like Renault, Ford, and Vauxhall (just to name a few!).

We’ve even been able to save our customers up to 30% off the regular price on selected models. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call today at 01282 872 530, and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can!