Everyday van security: protect the vehicle and record the tools

Use the same checks at every stop

Avon and Somerset Police advises drivers to take the keys from the ignition, lock the vehicle and close the windows when leaving it. It also recommends removing valuables where possible and keeping them out of view. Apply the routine to a short stop as well as the end of a shift.

Decide where the keys will stay while you work and who is responsible for locking up when several people use the van. Check the vehicle is secured before walking away. If you have added locks or an alarm, learn their operation from the supplier and include the necessary steps in the same routine.

Plan the overnight location and tool storage

Police advice recommends removing tools from the van overnight where possible. If that is impractical, it suggests a properly secured tool safe or van vault with suitable approved locks. Plan this before the working day ends so storage does not depend on a last-minute decision.

Review the parking places you regularly use. The police recommends well-lit locations and, where available, places within view of CCTV. It also suggests considering how nearby walls or other features can restrict access to doors. Check that your parking remains safe and that the vehicle can still be accessed appropriately.

Create a tool record away from the van

Keep an inventory with tool descriptions, serial numbers and clear photographs. Include containers and distinctive identifying details. Update it when you buy, sell or replace equipment, and retain a copy somewhere accessible without the van. A record stored only beside the tools may be unavailable when it is needed.

Avon and Somerset Police recommends marking tools and their boxes and registering equipment details with Immobilise. Choose a marking method suited to the item and follow its instructions. Retain purchase records where available, and check that someone else in the business knows how to retrieve the inventory.

Review additional protection for your vehicle

The police suggests considering additional locks, approved alarms, immobilisers and tracking. Start an installer conversation with the exact van model, the doors you use most often, where it is parked and how frequently you need access. Ask which products are compatible and what their operation requires.

Discuss any installation or electrical work with a suitable installer and check relevant product documentation. A tracker may assist recovery, while a lock may deter access; neither should be presented as a guarantee against theft. Keep servicing information, keys and operating instructions organised, then review the routine when the vehicle or working pattern changes.

Your checklist

Keep these points together when comparing equipment or speaking to an installer.