Van break-ins are still a risk — even when overall vehicle theft is falling

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Published: 24 Mar 2026 | Last reviewed: 24 Mar 2026 | Reviewed by: VanCompare Editorial Team

Official crime statistics show that some types of vehicle-related theft have fallen recently — but for many tradespeople, a smashed lock or peeled door still feels like a weekly headline.

The key point is this: a national downward trend doesn't mean your van is low-risk, especially if it's regularly parked with tools inside.

What the latest ONS data says

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) latest bulletin (Crime in England and Wales, year ending September 2025, published 29 January 2026) reports a 16% fall in vehicle-related theft in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), to around 617,000 incidents, compared with around 732,000 in the previous year's survey.

The same bulletin notes police recorded vehicle offences decreased by 13% to 324,094 offences over the year ending September 2025.

What counts as "vehicle-related theft"?

ONS uses "vehicle-related theft" as a broad umbrella that includes stealing (or attempting to steal) a vehicle, stealing parts/accessories, and stealing items from inside a vehicle. Vans are within scope.

So even when the headline trend is down, "vehicle-related theft" can still include the kind of crime van owners care about most: break-ins to grab tools and equipment.

Why van owners still feel the squeeze

Tool theft is often driven by opportunity: visible kit, predictable parking routines, and vans left loaded overnight.

A recent UK industry snapshot (Direct Line, October 2025) highlights how common it is for theft to involve vans — reporting that 49% of reported tool theft in 2024 was from vans.

A practical anti-break-in checklist for trade vans

No single product is "the answer". The goal is to increase time, noise and risk for thieves.

1) Reduce the reward

• Don't leave tools in the van overnight if you can avoid it (it's the single biggest risk reducer).
• Keep a simple tool inventory (photos + serial numbers) so you can report quickly and prove ownership.

2) Make access harder

• Add secondary locks (deadlocks / slamlocks) and consider a lockable internal vault or cage for high-value kit.
• Close windows fully to prevent "fishing" and always double-check locks (including keyless locking).

3) Park to deny attack angles

• Choose well-lit, busy areas where possible.
• If you're on a drive, park with side/rear doors tight to a wall/fence to limit access.

4) Make stolen tools harder to shift

• Property-mark tools and register them where available (marked tools are harder to sell and easier to return).

Insurance notes worth checking before a theft happens

This isn't about "better deals" — it's about avoiding nasty surprises if you need to claim.

When you insure a van used for work, look carefully at:

• Whether tools are covered (many policies treat tools as optional add-ons, with limits and conditions)
• Any overnight security requirements (where it must be kept, what locks must be fitted, whether tools must be removed)
• How to report theft (crime reference number, evidence of forced entry, proof of ownership/value)

Sources

1. ONS — Crime in England and Wales: year ending September 2025 (vehicle-related theft down 16% to ~617k; police recorded vehicle offences down 13% to 324,094).
2. ONS — Overview of vehicle-related theft (definition includes theft/attempted theft of vehicles, parts/accessories, and items from inside vehicles).
3. Direct Line Group — "Tool theft season" release (49% of reported tool theft in 2024 from vans).
4. Secured by Design — Vans & Tool Theft guidance (layered security approach).
5. Police.uk — Preventing car and vehicle theft (locking and prevention basics).
6. National Business Crime Centre (police) — tool theft prevention PDF (remove tools overnight; park against a wall; upgrade locks).

VanCompare Editorial Team

The VanCompare Editorial Team produces clear, practical guidance on UK van insurance and related topics. We work with FCA authorised insurance providers and use insurer information where relevant to explain cover in plain English and help drivers make informed decisions.

• Where relevant, our content is checked against publicly available UK guidance and information from sources such as the FCA and GOV.UK to help keep it accurate and up to date.
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