4 key steps to equipping your vans for secure deliveries during the festive period

At The Van Discount Company, we’ve spent 30 years helping our clients keep the wheels turning on their businesses, providing a range of reliable new vans for sale at great prices. In that time, we’ve seen firsthand the ups and downs that businesses have to navigate throughout Christmas, with seasonal demand going up day by day. So what steps can you take to prepare your van for this busy period? Let’s break it down. 

1. Install locks to protect your van and cargo from theft 

It’s no secret that van thefts typically spike during Christmas. When carrying around hundreds of pounds worth of deliveries, the last thing you need is for your van to be ransacked or even stolen altogether at one of the most profitable times of the year.

We’ll start with one of the most effective security options: locks. From deadlocks to hook locks, there are a number of reliable mechanisms available to offer protection and peace of mind through Christmas and beyond. Slam locks, in particular, are a great option for delivery drivers, especially in the fast-paced festive period. On a busy, stressful day when you need to make multiple deliveries, mistakes happen, and it only takes forgetting to lock your van once for an opportunistic thief to throw a spanner in your schedule. Slam locks automatically lock the vehicle when you close the door, providing a constant defence against theft. What’s more, they’re also helpful when you’ve got your hands full with an order and can’t reach for a key.

Steering locks are another small thing you can do to keep your van safe. As well as preventing thieves from driving the vehicle away, their mere presence can be enough to deter culprits from attempting to steal the van in the first place.

2. Consider alarms to help you stay alert and protect your livelihood

Adding an alarm to your van is another way of deterring would-be thieves and keeping your business running smoothly while meeting customer demand. Many new vans for sale come with built-in systems, including the Nissan NV300, which features a Thatcham-approved alarm for immediate peace of mind. You can also have alarms installed in your delivery van after purchase, with a couple of different options available. Volumetric alarms use sensors to detect motion inside the vehicle, and will even be triggered by a thief reaching their hand through the window. In comparison, a Perimeter alarm detects entry attempts at the door, bonnet and boot, using a loud alarm and flashing lights to scare off thieves.  

3. Make sure your cargo isn’t visible to passersby

On a busy day, you’ll probably have to step away from your van multiple times to deliver orders to customers, and if your cargo is on display, it can easily attract unwanted attention from passersby. Blocking your goods from view decreases the risk of theft – so how can you do it?

Many new vans come with a solid, built-in bulkhead, which separates the cab from the cargo area and constantly obscures the van’s load. This feature also makes it much harder for a thief to access the goods if they somehow gain entrance to the cab. Similarly, if your vehicle has windows looking into the cargo space, we also recommend installing window grilles and blanks, which shield your delivery goods from view and make it difficult for thieves to access the van through the windows. 

4. Consider installing cameras and trackers for extra peace of mind

CCTV cameras are another addition to your delivery van that can safeguard your vehicle and your cargo this Christmas. Sometimes, just having a camera visible is enough to put thieves off, but they do also come with a number of handy features, including motion detection, real-time app alerts and infrared night vision, perfect for maintaining clear surveillance as the days get darker. 

But what if somebody does manage to take your delivery van? Having your work vehicle stolen doesn’t bear thinking about, potentially disrupting not only the busy Christmas period but also the months after. Fortunately, installing a tracker helps to increase your chances of recovering your vehicle if the worst happens, so you can get your business back on track as soon as possible. 

Extra tips to keep your Christmas deliveries running smoothly

Equipping your van for the busy festive period doesn’t just mean safeguarding your cargo – it also includes small steps you can take to make long, chaotic delivery days a little more manageable. Here are a few things to remember when navigating the busy Christmas period. 

• Make use of every inch of van space to optimise your efficiency – choose shelves, racks or stackable bins to keep orders clearly separated and easily accessible.
• Consider the order of your delivery stops when loading the van, using the ‘last-in, first-out’ mindset to streamline the process.
• Consider installing interior lighting so you can efficiently find the order you’re looking for without frustrating delays.
• Be proactive with preventative maintenance to avoid unexpected downtime in the festive rush – keeping a close eye on your tyre pressure, for example, can help you to continue driving loaded vans safely and efficiently in harsh December conditions.

Those are some of the main points covered! Of course, if you’re looking to expand your delivery fleet to cope with seasonal demand, we’ve also got you covered. 

Here at The Van Discount Company, we use our decades of experience to help businesses like yours stay on the road. We even offer our customers up to 30% off RRP with our impressive range of new vans for sale – now that’s a Christmas gift you can’t pass up! With a variety of models from leading manufacturers like Ford, Renault and Vauxhall, we’ve got options for every kind of business. If you’re interested, give our friendly team a call today on 01282 872 530, and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect van for Christmas and beyond!