Van Security Help Please

Van Security Help Please

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Discussion

Nigel Worc's

Original Poster:

8,121 posts

187 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Hello chaps.

My poor mate came out of his house to find his van damaged, as shown below.

The thieving bds didn't manage to get into his van, but they have made a mess of it as you can see.

What do you guys think of some of the deterrent stuff, like the ones I've shown from e-bay, which may just make them think its too hard, and they'll bugger off and look elsewhere ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-VAN-SECURITY-PADLOCK...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thule-Van-Door-Security-...

The damage !


Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

158 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Double edged sword.

If there is a hoofing padlock on it - there must be something worth stealing.

If you are going to get one - get a bloody good one.

Leptons

5,113 posts

175 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Looks like he doesn't need them to me!

I'm another one who thinks "big padlock" means valuables inside.

Nigel Worc's

Original Poster:

8,121 posts

187 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Leptons said:
Looks like he doesn't need them to me!

I'm another one who thinks "big padlock" means valuables inside.
A van generally means valuables inside, you wouldn't have one unless you needed one.

I have noticed the gas board use extra locks.

I'm not sure why you think he doesn't need them, they failed to gain access, but have caused a bit if damage.

I'd have thought some high security locks might put them off bothering to try.

GAjon

3,721 posts

212 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Take a look at Fiamma door locks, primarily for motorhomes but may fit the bill.

Leptons

5,113 posts

175 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Nigel Worc's said:
A van generally means valuables inside, you wouldn't have one unless you needed one.

I have noticed the gas board use extra locks.

I'm not sure why you think he doesn't need them, they failed to gain access, but have caused a bit if damage.

I'd have thought some high security locks might put them off bothering to try.
What are you struggling with? If they haven't gained access by causing that much damage then I'd say it's pretty safe. I think high visible security like those locks screams that stuff is left inside overnight etc rather than being removed.

s2sol

1,223 posts

170 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
That looks like a very amateur attempt to break in. I had a similar thing happen to one of mine, and fitted armaplate lock protectors without replacing the door. The damage to my door was less extensive than that, though.

V8forweekends

2,481 posts

123 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
O/T but I am sick of the sheer amount of thieving scum there are in this country. I went to the US recently and was surprised by how much nickable stuff I saw lying about in circumstances where one wouldn't dare here.

I love England, but this is one of my least favourite aspects.

ShaunTheSheep

951 posts

154 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Avoid the top one, the puck which goes over both L brackets and puts a pin through them.

They're laughably easy to pick open. You don't actually pick them, you just rake the pins. You'd think the awkward position of the keyhole would make it hard to pick but it doesn't.

You can apply tension from the bottom of the key way which means you can tension away from the door panel == plenty room. Then just rake. You could do it with your hands behind your back leaning against the van having never picked a lock in your life.

Thing is, crims know this and Joe punter doesn't...

Nigel Worc's

Original Poster:

8,121 posts

187 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Leptons said:
What are you struggling with? If they haven't gained access by causing that much damage then I'd say it's pretty safe. I think high visible security like those locks screams that stuff is left inside overnight etc rather than being removed.
The idea I was thinking of it "that looks a bit hard, I'll fk off somewhere else" !

Engineers tend to have vans to carry the equipment they need to work, van racked out etc, we don't tend to spend half a day loading/unloading it.

Snollygoster

1,538 posts

138 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
I dare say, is it worth leaving it like that almost showing that someone else has already tried to get in and failed so there's no point. But I guess someone would be able too.

I can see both sides of having one of those locks as yes, it should protect it, but may attract more people to at least give it a go as they think the reward would be better.

An idea could be to buy a cheap webcam and stick it in the dash or something like to make it look like there is recording device there and a sticker on the back to say the van has surveillance equipment.

Sadly, if someone wants something bad enough, they will get it one way or another.

Andyjc86

1,149 posts

148 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
I have armaplate around each lock on my van. Coupled with a very loud & sensitive alarm, as well as parking it on the drive, it seams pretty secure. (One failed break in attempt, no damage caused)

gazza285

9,780 posts

207 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
I fitted 5 lever mortise locks to my Berlingo, with reinforced plates inside the door closures and doors. They came with nice little stainless covers to go over the hole in the door skin, looked ok.

They withstood four attempts to get in when I was stopping in Tottenham, although all the doors were damaged in the attempts.
I had solid plates behind the rear windows, both of which held after the windows were broken on separate occasions. The glass was replaced with bonded stainless sheet bought off eBay.
The scumbags finally got into the van one night by breaking one of the front windows and climbing in, the only thing in there was the empty carry bags for my camping gear (I was camping at Lee Valley), so a lot of effort and damage for nothing.
Best thing I did to prevent my van being broken into was to stop working in London.

Edited by gazza285 on Thursday 30th October 22:52