The world is full of scumbags!

Unfortunately these types of people don't understand the repercussions of robbing a tradesman's van.

Taking all their kit they use to earn a living, just for a few quid.

Who even buys the stolen tools? I have never been offered a second hand sds drill let alone a multi tester.

Let's be honest, as a tradesman you have your kit until it's falling apart in your hands - it costs enough - so you want your money's worth.

My van has been broken into 3 times. In this podcast I'm going to tell you a few things I have done and fingers crossed

It hasn't happened in a few years so it may help you too.

Tool Box Talk For Electricians Helping electricians reduce stress, gain back time and earn more money.

Ben poulter here once again, your host of tool box talk for electricians.

I would like to say I have been lucky and never been robbed, but like so many other tradesmen out there I have been a victim too.

For a quick grab in 5 minutes, some scumbag and ruin your day, if not your week.

This is if you can afford to replace your kit that day too.

No kits means you can't do any work, so you have no choice but to replace it once it gets nicked.

Some thieves know this too, so go back a few weeks later to do it all again.

They are basically risking their life when doing this too. I know if I could get my hands on the person who robbed me.

They wouldn't be getting a slap on the wrist and bunked up with their mates in HM hotels.

Who knows, that may be just what they want, to be bunked up with a load of blokes.

I would assume the type of people who are robbing vans have noting to lose.

No kids - they care about

No ambition in life

No morels

How can they, with the chosen profession?

In a funny way I feel sorry for their sad lives. I don't even have a shandy anymore when I go to the pub and im driving, just in case I get pulled and i'm over the limit.

I need my licence, let alone if I have an accident and hurt someone else.

The first time I was robbed I didn't even know. It was a 2004 Ford transit.

No damage on the outside at all. It was just unlocked in the morning.

I thought Bollox I forgot to lock the van, but then tried to lock it after putting my lunch in the back. It didn't lock.

Some wires had been cut and popped all the locks open! The only thighs that were missing were my sds drill and the brand new fluke tester!

They had even gone through my tool bag and taken out a handful of tools, the bloody good cutters too.

I was insured, but when talking to the insurance company and explaining there was no damage to the van, they thought I was lying.

The 2004 ford transit was a bit beaten up, I looked after it but really didnt want this happening again.

I bought 2 of the big master lock van padlocks. They looked ugly and stuck out, I also had to drill holes in the door to fit them.

But after £1500 of kit getting robbed I needed to do something.

The insurance took a few weeks to pay out, after a number of phone calls - pictures of the van and scanning the receipts of the kit that was robbed.

It's a good half a day doing all that, just to have to wait for the money to replace them. I needed the kit to work, so I had to dip into my savings to get some new kit.

I'm not gonna lie, it is good getting new kit, you go that step further and get better ones that go robbed - just to make yourself feel better.

What I also did was buy a caravan alarm and install it inside the van. So if anyone did get in, they would be met with a siren going off and they would deffen them.

This used to go off a bit temperamental sometimes, it was only cheap from amazon but came with a fob to reset it from the bedroom.

I was confident nobody was getting in without a struggle.

The locks and the siren would hopefully put them off.

Well that didn't last forever. The back of the van was broken into, it was the ladders off the roof this time.

All caught on camera too.

What's a 2nd hand ali ladder worth? £10?

That's divided by 3 because there were 3 of them there, standing around, leaning against the can and taking their time to get the ladders off.

A total of 15 minutes took. I would have given them £2 each to leave them there.

They did try the van doors though because one of them climbed up the back doors on the back bumper, well he must have been a big lad, the bumper full off.

I found it on the floor in the morning.

The cameras are all around the van, just not on the back doors. Because that's revered up to the garage. You would need to be a skinny runt to get behind there.

It just makes me wonder how desperate these people are.

I could have a shotgun in the house, a dog that would rip their limbs off, I could be a crazy guy who would throw acid out the window, Or even booby trap the van to give them an electric shock.

Their lives must be worthless. I'm sure they could make more money actually doing a night shift at a warehouse.

Then came the time to get a new van. The Ford custom - limited in black.

I loved that van, wish I still had it now.

I got the slam locks fitted to this one straight away. Slam locks are an extra lock that's put on, you need to use the key to open the door all the time.

Bit of a nightmare, but if it saves me from getting robbed I'm all for it.

I was doing a job in skegness. Seaside town and a great night out - well it was 20 years ago anyway.

I was only up there a couple of nights and all the kit was left on site as it had security.

This didnt stop some idiot wanting to take a look in the van. They never actually got the door all the way open.

Just bent it like a can of beans - God knows what with, assume it must have been hard.

The only think they took was a jumper, I'm not even sure - I could have lost it on a night out in skegness.

There were no tools in the van to pinch, so the £2000 worth of damage to the side of the van was a complete waste of time.

I wish I saw them and just opened up the van to let them look inside.

I couldn't even drive it because it was hanging off.

You can get angry, you can cry! But it doesn't stop the fact you need to spend a load of money to get it fixed - so you just get on with it.

People say the best way to stop your kit getting robbed is to take it in your house, how do the thieves know you have done that?

It's fighting a losing battle!

There are a few things you can to to help prevent your van getting robbed or broken into -

Securing your van is crucial, especially if you're using it for work purposes, living in it, or travelling long distances. Here are some tips to enhance the security of your van:

Visible Deterrents:

Steering Wheel Lock: Acts as a strong deterrent for potential thieves.

Wheel Clamps: Especially useful if you're parking your van for an extended period.

Security Stickers: Sometimes, just the presence of a security sticker can deter potential thieves.

Alarm Systems:

Invest in a quality alarm system. Some advanced systems can send real-time alerts to your phone.

Consider motion sensor alarms inside the van to detect any break-ins.

Windows and Doors:

Window Security Film: Helps prevent the glass from shattering easily.

Sliding Door Locks: Add extra locks to sliding doors.

Deadlocks: Offer an additional locking mechanism to the existing door locks.

Bulkhead Partition: Separates the cab from the cargo area, adding another layer of protection from break-ins.

Locking Systems:

High-Quality Padlocks: Use them for rear or sliding doors.

Electronic Locks: These require a digital code to unlock.

Keyless Systems: While convenient, ensure they are secure as some can be vulnerable to hacking.

Parking:

Park in well-lit areas.

If possible, park with the rear doors against a wall or another vehicle to prevent easy access.

Consider security posts or bollards at home or your place of work to prevent theft of the entire vehicle.

Trackers:

GPS Trackers: Allows the van's location to be monitored in real-time.

Immobilisers: Can prevent the engine from starting without the correct key or fob.

Markings and Identification:

Consider marking tools and equipment with UV pens or engraving.

Clear signage stating that tools are removed overnight can deter thieves (even if you don’t always remove them).

CCTV:

If parking in the same location regularly (like your home), consider installing CCTV cameras.

Dash cams with parking mode can also record incidents when you're away from the vehicle.

Secure Storage:

If you're carrying tools or other valuables, invest in a secure storage box or safe inside the van.

Organised storage systems can also make it harder for a thief to quickly grab items.

Insurance:

Ensure you have comprehensive insurance coverage, especially if you store valuable items in your van.

Some insurance companies might offer discounts if you've implemented certain security measures.

Stay Updated:

Vehicle security technology evolves, and so do the methods thieves use. Stay informed about the latest security trends and potential vulnerabilities.

Regular Maintenance:

Ensure all doors, windows, and locks function properly. Regularly inspect for any signs of tampering or wear.

No Spare Keys:

Don't leave spare keys inside the van or in easily accessible places.

Privacy Curtains or Tinted Windows:

If you're living in the van or storing valuables, this can prevent potential thieves from scoping out the interior.

Remember, while no security measure is 100% foolproof, the goal is to make your van an unattractive target by adding layers of deterrence and protection.

One day van theft will become extinct, when van manufacturer take into consideration what happening, and fit an AI robot with a shotgun as standard!

Until next time.