Shocking recent figures have shown that the number of van and tool thefts within the UK is continuing to rise, with the number of thefts over the last four years up by 45% in some cases. The research was carried out by Volkswagen using data from police forces across the UK and found that there were over 32,000 reported van thefts between 2015 and the end of 2019. London was the worst-hit by van crime, whilst Leicestershire also suffered from a drastic increase in thefts.

Top tips for avoiding van theft:

• ALWAYS make sure your van is locked

• Never leave valuables on display

• Store your tools elsewhere

• Invest in extra alarms and security

• Park in a well-lit area if possible