COMPARETHEMARKET.COM has predicted future levels of van theft could double to 20,000 in the next decade after research found an 81% increase from 2015 to 2019. The research also highlights the makes and models of vehicles that are most at risk and the most frequently stolen contents from a break-in.

During 2015, 12 vans were being stolen each day across the country, rising to 33 vans during 2022. comparethemarket.com predicts that the level of theft could reach as high as 56 thefts per day by 2030, equating to 20,000 stolen vans annually.

The lowest levels of theft have been reported in the North of England, followed by West Midlands, South West of England and Wales. Unsurprisingly, Greater London has the highest rate and could see over three thousand van thefts during 2030 alone.

Daily levels of van thefts across the UK

Rank

Region

Daily Van Thefts in 2019

Predicted Number of Van Thefts in 2022

Predicted Number of Van Thefts in 2030

1

Greater London

1,504

2232

3,827

2

East Midlands

188

280

479

3

Yorkshire and Humberside

145

215

368

4

North West England

112

166

284

5

South East England

110

163

280

6

East England

104

154

263

7

Wales

79

117

201

8

South West England

65

96

164

9

West Midlands

61

90

154

10

North England

59

87

149

The van models most at risk across the UK

During 2019, the vans most at risk were Mercedes Sprinter models, this remains the same in 2022, as predictions show the Mercedes Sprinter 313 CDI will be the most stolen van model, increasing to 66 more annual thefts in just three years.

Rank

Company

Model

2019 Thefts

2022 Predictions

1

Mercedes

SPRINTER 313 CDI

1460

1526

2

Mercedes

SPRINTER 314CDI

1135

1402

3

Ford

TRANSIT 350

712

1300

4

Ford

TRANSIT 125 T350 RWD

772

1012

5

Ford

TRANSIT CUSTOM 290 ECO-TECH

280

511

Tools, equipment and personal items are the most stolen from break-ins

Over 67% of break-Ins include having tools stolen, and research shows that only 1% are ever recovered due to their high resale value, leaving a devastating impact on tradespeople and their ability to do their job.

Rank

Item

% chance of being stolen

1

Tools

66.7%

2

Equipment

55.6%

3

Personal items

41.7%

4

Electronic devices

25%

5

Sale goods

16.7%

6

Customer supplies

13.9%

7

Van equipment and parts

13.9%

8

Cash

5.6%

Comparethemarket.com has created useful content and tips on keeping vans and their contents protected, along with the full research. https://www.comparethemarket.com/van-insurance/content/van-theft/

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