Van thefts have long plagued tradespeople and professionals. The latest data shows that in 2024, there were an average of 31 robberies per day, with a van broken into every 23 minutes. The cost of lost tools, equipment, and materials equated to £61.9 million, with 117,000 targeted thefts, and around 61% of stolen vehicles and items never recovered.
For many, the obvious solution is to use a sign stating that tools or valuables are not stored overnight, but the statistics reflect that this isn't always effective. Thieves and opportunist criminals can bypass locking systems in seconds.
Eydens Auto Locksmiths, a highly experienced team of automotive professionals and providers of advanced, tamper-proof locking solutions for vans, has shared advice and tips to help van owners ensure their vehicles and trades are continually protected.
Is it Worth Investing in a Commercial-Grade Van Security Lock?
The facts speak for themselves, but we also recognise that many people assume that an upgraded lock won't make a huge amount of difference. They might also feel they are likely to have their tools stolen at some point regardless and remain reliant on insurance coverage to pay out for replacements.
However, from a cost perspective, those assumptions aren’t true. The average cost per individual van break-in is £1,700, and one in five van owners and drivers will be impacted sooner or later. Outcomes of tool thefts surpass the value of the items themselves and can be catastrophic, especially for sole traders or smaller businesses.
They might include, for instance, lost income due to an inability to work, the cost of financing to replace tools urgently – and long before an insurance provider would likely pay out – and reputational damage when tradespeople have to let paying clients down following a theft.
It is also common for insurance premiums to rise once a policyholder has made a claim and for alternative providers to quote higher prices.
Downtime alone costs the average business or tradesperson £550 per day per van. For those operating with tight margins or reliant on their income to cover everyday living costs, being without high-value tools and unable to replace them immediately could have serious consequences.
In this context, professional-level van security is incredibly affordable and represents excellent value for money. We'll talk through some of the options next, but a Statement Lock costs from £300, and a van deadlock costs from £154 (both + VAT) – with discounts available for those having multiple locking devices fitted at the same time.
What Are the Best Van Security Locks to Protect Against Tool Thefts?
Here at Eydens, we provide a comprehensive range of advanced, highly effective van security devices and locking systems. The first step is to have a chat about the make and model of the van you use and the current safeguards you have in place.
That can make an impact because once we know the number of doors, the points of vulnerability, and the importance of defending against a break-in, we’ll be better placed to offer independent advice about the right options for you.
We can also offer specialist lock upgrade services, which are most in-demand from drivers with a Ford Transit, which is also the most targeted vehicle.
Upgrading the locks is a simple and effective way to ensure manufacturer-grade locks are far harder to force, pick or break, and can’t be bypassed or removed even with heavy duty tools like drills.
Van Statement Locks
Eydens fits L4V Statement Locks, which are considered the ultimate protection, as ultra-strong, powerful locks that are designed specifically for vans. These devices work independently from the main locks in the vehicle and come in varied specifications.
Our in-store fitting teams can install single or dual locks, with Standard, Gold or Diamond Statement Locks available. For those with elevated risks or who have high instances of van break-ins in their area, the best advice is typically to opt for the Diamond edition.
This Statement Lock has gained Sold Secure Diamond Approval, as the highest possible approval grade awarded owing to the superb theft resistance and imperviousness to angle grinders and other tools.
Deadlocks for Van Security
Another great way to augment the security of your van is to look at an L4V Deadlock, another standalone and autonomously locking device, which uses a mechanical mechanism that is activated using a secure external key.
As the driver, you can operate the deadlock with ease, but locks on the side and rear doors can make it incredibly difficult for even the most determined criminals to wrench, force the doors open or break the locks in order to gain access.
We can fit single, double or sets of four deadlocks with a mobile installation service available, with each high-standard deadlock available from just £138 (+ VAT) when fitting four locks – a fraction of the cost of a break-in.
Latch Protection Plates for Vans
While robust locks and deadbolts are highly recommended, one of the issues often overlooked is that most vans have relatively thin bodywork panels, which means that, if a lock is too difficult to break into, a criminal could turn their attention elsewhere.
The ideal solution is to use repair plates or external shields, with the L4V External Shield readily available from our expert van security specialists. These highly visible shield plates are easy to see, can reinforce weak points that have been subject to damage before, and ensure there is little prospect of a criminal puncturing the bodywork to get to the locks.
Eydens can recommend L4V Handle Shields as an added layer of protection, which prevent handles being spiked, and remove a final point of entry, while ensuring that every aspect of your van is protected.
Independent Van Security Advice From the Auto Security Experts
We hope this guide has illustrated the affordability of advanced van security systems, and why drivers should always consider how they would manage if their vehicle were stolen, their tools removed, and they were unable to return to their usual daily routines.
Statement locks can be fitted in-store, whereas deadlocks and latch protection plates are both available with a mobile-fitting service, with discounts available for clients purchasing deadlocks and security plates together as a serious security upgrade.
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About Eydens Auto Locksmiths and Vehicle Security
Eydens Auto Locksmiths have over 20 years of experience and are members of both the MLA and the ALA, providing auto lock and key services to motorists in Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Kenilworth, Leamington, Stratford upon Avon and Warwick.
