Police in the capital have recently received reports of vans being broken into and tools being stolen from inside.
In response officers are suggesting that owners consider additional security measure to secure their tools.
The following advice has been provided.
– When parking your van, think carefully about where you are stopping. Parking with the rear or side doors against a wall or sturdy railings will help ensure they can’t be prised open.
– Where possible, park in well-lit areas with foot traffic, and ideally with CCTV cameras or where you can see your vehicle from where you’re working.
– Fit a secure van vault in the rear for expensive tools. They come in a range of sizes and can be bolted to the cargo floor.
– Tools and other property can be registered on a Secured by Design (SBD) approved Tool and Asset database. These systems can assist the Police in tracing stolen property back to the owner and, importantly, prove it was stolen.
– Consider using a battery-operated GSM mobile alert system and camera which can alert you to anything suspicious.
– Advertise that you use a security system for your van and tools with a sticker on the vehicle.
– If possible, remove tools from your van when left overnight and store them in a safe place.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
