County worst for van thefts and break-ins in the country
FIVE YEARS
LEICESTERSHIRE has been named the worst place in the country for van thefts and break-ins.
The best and worst places for vans being stolen or broken into between 2018 and 2022 were revealed in data gathered by iCompario, after putting in Freedom of Information requests to police forces across the country.
Of those that responded, Leicestershire came top of the list with 10,494 van thefts and break-ins over the five years, beating Hertfordshire which came second with 9,740.
According to the figures revealed by Leicestershire Police, some of the most targeted postcodes include in Hinckley, LE67 in Whitwick and Ibstock, LE3 in Braunstone and Rowley Fields, LE10 in Burbage and LE17 in Lutterworth.
There were other Midlands regions in the top 15, with Derbyshire in sixth place with 3,724 thefts and break-ins, Northamptonshire with 3,523, Staffordshire with 1,488, and Nottinghamshire with 1,130.
Meanwhile, the fewest thefts and break-ins were in Cumbria with 86,
Cleveland in Yorkshire with 550, North Yorkshire with 654, and Cambridgeshire with 783.
While sourcing the data, the insurance comparison website surveyed 1,000 van drivers who use their vehicle for work purposes about how they secure their van when it’s not in use.
They found that 76 per cent knowingly leave their van at risk to thieves, with just 24 per cent ensuring they park their van somewhere safe and secure. Nearly half of the respondents (45 per cent) admitted to not locking their van when not in use, while 77 per cent don’t use an alarm or immobiliser in their vehicle.
The survey also revealed that 64 per cent don’t remove their workLE10 related tools and other valuables from their vans when it’s not being driven.
Kerry Fawcett, digital director at iCompario, said: “We recommend taking plenty of precautions to protect your vehicle.
“By failing to do so, you risk not only leaving yourself open to potential thieves, but you may also invalidate your insurance when having to make a claim.
“Much like the regular vehicle maintenance checks that should be made like topping up your oil or checking your tyre pressure, making the time each day to ensure your van is parked safely and securely when not in use should be at the forefront of every van driver’s mind.”
10,494 CRIMES REPORTED TO FORCE OVER