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They must have had something to do drivers door as it played up this morning ok after that. No damage to roller shutters don't really know how to secure them without going into vehicle body work. That's the worry coming back for more. You think why bother replacing tools for scum to nick it again. Customers are very good but they want the job doing if you can't they will get someone else. Hopefully it was a one off due to me parking in wrong place wrong time. Thanks for reply.
My sympathies. I know how upsetting it is when this happens. After reading how easy it is to get into Ford vans, I fitted a couple of those circular "limpet" locks you see on many vans. £35 each from Wickes. You have to drill the bodywork which could put some people off if they've a new van. Always use them now and it's a relief to know when I go to my van, everything is still going to be there.
I have also had my tools stolen from a van in broad daylight. Now i have a van vault which i religiously use (not that it would deter a professional thief). I used to empty my expensive tools off the van every night but that was just tedious so i now just keep minimal tools on their. Also i dont have my van sign written purely so it doesnt look so much like a tradesman van. I would love to have security to the max but its so much money to buy. Not much help unfortunately. Having your tools stolen seems to be an inevitable part of the job.
We have also suffered in recent weeks. Two separate thefts from two separate vans. Both citroen relay/peugeot boxer H3 L2 panel vans. Popped the resr door lock even though locked. Usual stihl petrol stuff nicked. Aporix £2k in each theft. Apparantly door locks are waste of time for the “pro thieves” Now fitted the round heavy duty lock and clasps which offer a visual deterrant as well as imprived security. My excess also £500 but worth msking a claim. Police say this type of theft is happening more and more, with zero chance of catching them. Both thefts happened in broad daylight outside client sites.
Really sorry to hear about your experience Mark.
In 2017 I had a similar experience. I had a Ford Transit van, in the back was a van vault with all my tools in. Naively I assumed that if they broke in they would have a hard job getting into the van vault without making a hell of noise. Sadly what I hadn't banked on was the fact that they would just steal the whole van!
There was no sign of forced entry (no glass on the floor), the whole van just disappeared and was never recovered. The van had been in the garage for 2 weeks prior to the theft, I had got it back for less than 24 hours before it was nicked. The cynic in me can't help but think there may be a connection as the garage had the keys for two weeks so plenty of time to clone them, they also knew what was in the van vault as I had to go and retrieve some tools from it while it was in the garage. Having said that, a quick search on youtube will show how easy it is to get into transits so who knows.
I now have a vivaro and have bad ass additional locks on the rear and side doors. I also have a disklok steering wheel lock which I use religiously, even if I am just popping into the shops.
I live near Hook in Hampshire and the number of reported van thefts seems to be rocketing. In my case the police were not at all interested, just gave me a reference number and sent me on my way.
Hope you manage to get back on your feet soon, I know it's soul destroying when you work your arse off and someone thinks it is acceptable to just nick your stuff for a quick buck.
In the last 3 days van break ins have been reported in the press one had said they were seen in a red Citroen Picasso like seen at mine. Bad time I think for all tradesmen and trying to earn a living.
I had a similar break in. they shoved a screwdriver through the lock on the rear doors of my van, £2000 worth of machines gone in seconds. It was right outside my house an a sunday evening in broad daylight. I heard a door slam, looked out the window and the shits were driving off.
I had lock plates fitted to prevent them doing the same again and deadlocks on all the rear doors. I also put a cable through all the machines and padlock them to the floor of the van. Also, I now back the van onto the drive and against the wall of the house so if I hear anthing I can be on them in 2 seconds or drop something heavy from an upstairs window onto them.
TBH nothing will work if they really want it but you can try to encourage them to move on to the next bloke.
Since suffering from a theft a couple of years ago, i now religiously cable all my stuff together and to the interior of the van! atleast that way its impossible to smash and grab.
I have deadlocks but they still prized the side door past the lock, they obviously knew exactly what they were doing, no other damage or sign of forced entry, so i assume some sort of master key etc, it is a Transit!
Im also going to fit a hasp type heavy duty lock on the inside of the rear doors nearer the top to reduce the chance of pealing them open, also was thinking of a short heavy cable and padlock routed through eyes in the bulk head and side door so it can be secured before you fully close it, and if opened can only move about 12 inches to restrict quick access.
Ive also been told, dont rely on the standard fit alarm etc, have a decent one fitted that also monitors the doors etc and sensor in the load area, so if they have a master type electronic device to overcome the manufacturer fit central locking and alarm, the additional one will not be affected and will still go off.
Facebook is full of eqipment which is being sold off and its unbelieavble how blatant they are about it. Mid, last week someone was selling Husqvarna chainsaw he had decided he no longer wanted it! How do you reach a decision like that! in the middle of the week! If the seller had put I have bought a new saw and I now no longer require this it would be more belivable. Today I noticed there was some dewalt power tools, no one honest would sell power tools surely they would use them till they stopped working then buy new! The post for the Dewalt stuff has been taken down after a few comments about the ownership of the equipment. Until the police or insurance companies start asking difficult questions it wont stop. I'm sorry to hear about your equipment been stolen and I think its going on all over the UK! The sad thing is we all know who it is!
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