The worst places in the UK for van theft

Research has revealed that the Birmingham postcode recorded the most van thefts in 2024 and 2025, followed by Sheffield and Guilford.

A van was stolen every 52 minutes in the UK in 2025 – but van thefts overall were down by 16% from the previous year.

Analysis by Tempcover found that there are huge variations by region, with Birmingham the worst hit with 649 vans stolen last year.

Ford vans accounted for the most thefts across 2024 and 2025, with over 11,700 incidents recorded, with the Ford Transit 350 topping the list at 1,309 stolen during this period. This reflects Ford’s strong market presence (Ford also had 38% of all new vans registered in the same period) meaning it has a lot of vans on the road compared to other brands.

Similarly, white vans accounted for over 16,000 thefts – around 73% of all van thefts – and it is also the most common colour.

Monthly trends reveal specific peaks throughout the year. In 2024, thefts peaked in January (1,276), followed by March (1,087) and April (1,067). In 2025, the highest levels were recorded in October (912), November (876), and July (871).

Despite the 16% year-on-year decline, van theft remains a persistent issue – a trend that underlines both the progress made and the ongoing risk to van owners and tradespeople.

To help reduce the risk of van theft, Tempcover’s Claire Wills-McKissick, shared the following security recommendations:

1. Never leave your van unlocked or the engine running without you in it: Whether you’re dropping off equipment or making a quick pit-stop, always switch off your engine and secure your van. A few seconds is all a thief needs to seize the opportunity.

2. Secure your keys: Keep keys on your person or store them in an RF-blocking (Faraday) pouch or sleeve when not in use to prevent opportunistic relay-attack theft.

3. Use visible security deterrents: Steering locks, brake locks, or wheel clamps can act as a physical barrier and can deter or slow down potential thieves.

4. Install alarms, immobilisers, or tracking devices: Ensure the van is fitted with modern alarms to provide an immediate alert, immobilisers to prevent the van from being driven, and tracking devices for recovery if a theft occurs.

5. Keep tools and equipment out of sight: Store valuable equipment and tools securely in the back of your van, in lockable internal racking, or, where possible, remove them from the vehicle overnight to eliminate a primary incentive for break-ins.

6. Park wisely: Park in well-lit, busy areas or monitored sites. Utilising a locked garage,  private driveway, and areas covered by security lighting and CCTV can significantly reduce the likelihood of a vehicle being targeted.