Ford advice to deter thefts and break-ins

  • Lock doors
  • Close windows
  • Park in well-lit places
  • Avoid leaving valuables visible.

STOLEN vehicle recovery expert Tracker urges van owners to tighten security and ensure their vehicles are better protected after the latest report by NaVCIS – National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service – reports that Ford Transits top UK theft list in 2015 with older vans most targeted.

And only one third of stolen Ford Transits are being recovered and returned to their owners, compared to a national average of 55% of cars and 38% of light goods vehicles.

According to the report, of the 11,000 Ford vehicles reported stolen, almost half of those were Transit vans. Although the report highlights the West Midlands as a hotspot accounting for 10% of all Ford Transit thefts, the issue has spread nationwide. In West Yorkshire alone, the total value of all Ford Transit vans stolen in 2015 was in excess of £7.5million.

The Mercedes Sprinter was second most commonly stolen with thefts particularly focusing on models manufactured between 2013 and 2015. In comparison, Ford Transit vans manufactured between 2006 and 2011 are most frequently stolen, suggesting poor security in older models make them vulnerable.

Vehicles are often stolen without keys and once in a ‘safe’ location, thieves quickly break down the vehicles for component parts to be sold on. As Ford Transit models are commonly used by small businesses, a theft of one can result in a hefty loss of business and potential future work as a result of damaged reputation.

“The NaVCIS report states that whilst Ford Transit vans are the sixth most popular vehicle on the road, they are the most commonly stolen. This means that the number of Transits stolen is disproportionate to the number of vehicles on the road, which is bad news for sole traders and small businesses who rely on their vehicle for work,” said Andy Barrs, head of police liaison at Tracker, part of the Tantalum corporation.

Vehicle manufacturers invest billions of pounds to keep vehicles as secure as possible, and work tirelessly to stay one step ahead of criminals. As a result, overall thefts in the UK have decreased by more than 75% over the past 10 years and continue to fall – SMMT

“Although using a Tracker may not stop vehicles from being stolen in the first place, it dramatically increases the likelihood of it being recovered before it’s too late.”

Ford counters the Tracker criticism by pointing out: “Ford Transit has been the market-leading product in the UK for 50 years and as such around one in four vans on the road is a Ford – hence why sometimes it seems we have a larger number of thefts.
“As always, we recommend that customers take practical steps to deter break-in and theft, such as locking doors, closing windows, parking in well-lit places, and avoiding leaving valuables visible.

“Ford takes vehicle security very seriously and we heavily invest in security solutions that are built into our vehicles to deter theft. Our security team routinely monitors and investigates new ways thieves are targeting our vehicles to maintain a high level of deterrence.
“We are constantly learning more about the latest techniques thieves are using to gain access to vehicles, and whether there are additional enhancements we can make in our vehicles.

“Ford has launched its Trade Vehicle Locks Vehicle Security Programme which has taken the initiative to deter vehicle thefts.”

The SMMT said: “Vehicle manufacturers invest billions of pounds to keep vehicles as secure as possible, and work tirelessly to stay one step ahead of criminals. As a result, overall thefts in the UK have decreased by more than 75% over the past 10 years and continue to fall.

“The industry continues to work with government, police forces, security firms and other stakeholders to minimise the risk to the motorist.”

 

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