The warning follows separate research from Direct Line for Business showing that 11,273 vans were reported stolen in 2024 — almost 31 a day, with an estimated combined value of around £200 million. Only 4,450 of those vans, or 39%, were recovered by police.
Direct Line said overall theft numbers had fallen compared with 2023, but described the scale of the problem as an ongoing security issue for businesses.
Which vans are most at risk
The Ford Transit was by far the most commonly stolen van in Direct Line’s figures, accounting for 5,906 thefts in 2024 — 52% of the total. Mercedes-Benz Sprinters followed with 1,492 cases, and the Peugeot Boxer with 524.
Measured against the number of licensed vehicles on the road, however, the Peugeot Boxer had the highest theft rate among the five most-stolen models, at 7.7 per 1,000 licensed vans, followed by the Sprinter at 7.5 per 1,000.
The figures show why raw theft totals do not necessarily indicate which models face the highest individual risk.
For operators, the fallout from a theft often goes beyond the vehicle itself. Stolen tools, equipment or cargo can leave staff unable to work, while businesses may also face cancelled jobs and missed deliveries.
“A van is not simply a means of transport,” said Logistics UK chief executive Ben Fletcher, noting that 3.4 million people — around one in ten UK workers — rely on a van for their job, meaning theft can hit smaller operators especially hard.
What operators should do now
Logistics UK recommends layering several security measures rather than relying on one. Its advice includes:
- Keeping vehicle keys away from doors and windows
- Using signal-blocking pouches for keyless vehicles
- Choosing well-lit or controlled parking locations
- Removing valuable equipment overnight where possible
- Fitting physical steering-wheel, pedal or door locks, trackers and immobilisers
- Making sure drivers know the company’s rules on keys and parking, and how to report suspicious activity
Businesses are also advised to keep records of vehicles, tools and equipment — including serial numbers, photographs and identifying marks — which can support police investigations and insurance claims if a theft does happen.
