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My van was opened on three seperate occasions via non destructive entry , no damage to vehicle only to my bank account as van insurance did not cover thefts .
Somehow they use a signal to replicate and override some vehicles security .
The only way I prevented further thefts and it worked was to install security cages inside my vehicle although they compromise space but it did work .
I did improvise by using large metal dog crates picked up on gumtree for a tenner each , securely bolted to the floor and bulkhead then ran security cables through machinery in cages and mowers .
Added to this a limpet lock on rear doors although the hasps made van look ugly and you need to be very careful when drilling through where rear door channels meet where doors close to avoid drilling through any electrical wiring although the task is easy it's critical to take great care or get an expert to do it .
We operate a similar system to John F but no cages. All kit is chained to the lashing points . Think spending on locks is pointless and we are insured for theft. All you can do is make it very difficult and noisy for the scumbags.
I'm constantly seeing pictures and videos of trade vans being broken into and contents nicked. Deadlocks etc don't stop them.......... they know where to drill and cut so that they're in often under a minute. The stuff I see, the vans are usually pretty new and sign written + they've often been left in a vulterable location..... mind you... knowhere is completely safe. I recommend using the limpet locks...... I've fitted them to the back and side doors............. don't have the van signwritten............ in my case, I've a 20 year old Transit which is extremely battered and hasn't been cleaned for years..... my theory being that any thieves can't imagine anything of value being inside!! I've also got the advantage that there is a mess grill separating the front form the rear...... no solid bulkhead........... and thieves can shine a torch through at night and see there's nothing much in there worth nicking. .
I think also the newer vans central locking is more vulnerable to non destructive entry , in my case no damage meant no insurance pay out .
It's weird too first time it happened I was on my way to a job but early so parked up in a very nice leafy suburb , went to get a coffee just a short walk away , came back ,went to job ,opened van doors and van was empty apart from my lawn mower .
I actually went back home thinking I had forgotten to load up doh!
Van was brand new , complete with silly signs , replaced machinery all Stihl , same thing happened about three weeks later 6 k down plus inconvenience , no money left so replaced machinery using a credit card about two weeks later van broken into again and everything stolen apart from a Stihl blower accessory for a kombi .
No equipment or machinery , in debt , thought I may as well call it a day , my dealer at the time gave me an old kombi with accessories which weighed a ton he had taken in part exchange and it's amazing what you can achieve when your back is against the wall , one reason I never disrespect anyone's kit regardless of brand , just use what you have .
I have heard of people losing their livelihoods it's stooping low to .steal the tools of a person's trade .
I think after the first 2 thefts, I'd have significantly improved security.... guess you don't think it could possibly hasppen a 3rd time. Probably the same thieves did all 3 times. Problem is if its a newish van, a lot of people don't want to deface the van with limpet locks and those extra deadlocks people fit don't really help much.. Cables through Stihl handles help. Thats terrible the insurance not paying up........... Maybe its worth forcing your doors open when you get the van home... insurance would hopefully pay up then!
Not in a million years did I think Three times , Third time was the worst they took everything including my flask and sandwiches .
One morning I got a phone call from the foreman of a large housing development informing me they had recovered some property with my details ( business cards ) which turned out to be my personal organiser , everything in it was intact , the guy explained lots of trades people's vehicles had being robbed whilst working onsite and they had ditched lots of less expensive kit to make space for the better kit and my organiser had turned up , they had also recovered an empty stolen van left at the site which must have broken down .
Hi Julian, hook locks are far superior to deadlocks as they prevent door pealing and worth paying a little extra in my opinion — my van was broken into five years ago (without locks/cameras/alarms) taking everything apart from a mower (public liability/tool cover paid the bill) but as the van wasn't damaged the van insurance obviously wouldn't cover contents. If thief's want to brake in, they'll brake in... but layering up on security is a good deterrent and choosing the right amount of tool cover is super important in today's world. It's never advisable to confront criminals but never be afraid to take someone's head off if you catch the bastards as it's our livelihoods end of the day! All the best :)
Worth a ponder...
Online I see picture after picture of tradesmans vans with holes drilled in them or doors completely pealed off.
This is happening in hotel carparks, supermarket carparks, and during the middle of the day in broad daylight outside customers homes.
The thieves are brazen, they don't care If people see them or its caught on camera or how much noise they make. We are not talking about opportunistic thieves operating under the cover of nightfall and the odd van being done here or there, this is premeditated, no f***s given.
Until the government and police start treating this crime seriously and handing out long jail sentences and cracking down on the thieves and the people handling stolen goods it will only get worse.
I'm sure all of you on here agree with this so why can't the police/government do something about it?
They are more than aware of it but seem to just want to take the easy option and dish out a reference number for the insurance.
The police are under staffed.
No room in prisons.
Culprits are small time druggies trying thier luck. Organised crime- just go to a car boot sale.
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