Tradespeople have been urged to fit their vans with CCTV and a safe to protect valuable tools and equipment from pesky thieves. This is now also a big problem in Ireland as evidenced by all the calls from victims to Joe Duffy on RTE Radio Ones\u2019s Live Line show.<\/p>\n
Van experts across the Irish Sea from LeaseVan.co.uk have revealed eight security measures tradespeople can take against criminals in their work vehicles, if forced to leave tools or equipment in vans while working or overnight.<\/p>\n
From deadlocks and CCTV to deliberately parking badly and dirty vehicles, the specialist advice could help deter thefts and catch those responsible when a crime is committed.<\/p>\n
Tim Alcock from LeaseVan.co.uk told us: \u201cWherever possible, it\u2019s advisable to move expensive tools and equipment indoors for secure storage. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut sometimes location and circumstances mean tradespeople have no other option than to leave items in their vans while they\u2019re parked up on a job or overnight.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile of course thieves remain responsible when items are stole, wise tradesmen and women should do whatever they can to avoid becoming a target or victim of crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo help deter criminals and make a theft less likely to occur or be successful, we\u2019ve identified some precautionary steps van owners could take.\u201d <\/p>\n
Here is the LeaseVan.co.uk list of security measures tradesmen and women can take when storing tools or equipment in their commercial vehicles:<\/p>\n
1. Intruder alarms
\nMany Brits nowadays find standard vehicle alarms annoying and will be tempted to ignore them, so it\u2019s worth considering installing a separate intruder alarm to discourage possible thieves.
\n Guard valuable good by fitting a coded device that will trigger when your van is accessed by someone who doesn\u2019t have permission.
\n Some alarms available online can be controlled remotely, synced with your mobile phone and even include a tracker.<\/p>\n
2. Tool vault boxes
\nTo give valuable tools and equipment an added layer of security, purchase a van vault box or safe to store them in.
\n Requiring a key or combination to open, the range of high security options work in a similar way to a personal home safe, but often with tailored compartments for specific tools too.<\/p>\n
3. Deadlocks
\nDeadlocks can give vans enhanced defences against thieves by adding an extra and usually stronger locking point to cab and rear doors.
\n They are operated independently to a vehicle\u2019s standard, factory fitted locks, which allows the driver to control when each door is unlocked individually.<\/p>\n
4. CCTV
\nMost businesses will protect their premises with CCTV cameras that can help both deter and capture potential criminals, so why not their commercial vehicles too?
\n Small, high quality devices can now be brought relatively cheaply online and one should be installed on both the inside and outside of vans, either permanently or temporarily while parked.
\n Remember to display a clear warning sign too \u2013 this could make a thief turn away before the cameras are even called in to action.<\/p>\n
5. Permanent tool marking
\nInvisible anti-theft marking on your tools and equipment that requires ultra-violet light make them much easier to trace and their ownership indisputable, should they be stolen.
\n Tradespeople could also choose to use clear and obvious tool markings, such as carving or laser-burning a name or logo into handles, to put off thieves before items are taken. <\/p>\n
6. Dyes
\nDye tags like those used in clothing retail are the best way to catch thieves literally red handed, as a burst of ink triggered by opening or moving a tool box without permission leaves little doubt who the criminal is and could deter them from trying to make off with your goods.
\n Concealed packs of dye, used by many banks within stacks of notes, could also be hidden within expensive equipment. They\u2019re armed by magnets and triggered by radio waves on a timer. <\/p>\n
7. Inaccessible parking
\nWhen there are tools and equipment in your commercial vehicle, reverse it into a parking space where the rear doors are practically touching a wall or other obstacle.
\n If a potential thief can\u2019t easily access your van and it\u2019s content, they\u2019re more likely to be discouraged and move along.<\/p>\n
8. Simple dissuasion
\n A basic sticker on the outside of a van declaring that no tools are stored in the vehicle may be enough to convince a criminal to try elsewhere. Even if it\u2019s not true, it\u2019s cheap, quick and worth a go.
\n Keeping the outside of your commercial vehicle in an unusually dirty condition when equipment must be stored inside could also put off thieves, by making the van seem to the outside world like it\u2019s less valuable and unlikely to contain important items.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tradespeople have been urged to fit their vans with CCTV and a safe to protect valuable tools and equipment from pesky thieves. This is now also a big problem in Ireland as evidenced by all the calls from victims to Joe Duffy on RTE Radio Ones\u2019s Live Line show. Van experts across the Irish Sea […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n