London has earned the dubious title of the UK's van theft capital, with October marking a sharp rise in these crimes, according to recent research.
Data from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request reveals that 14,529 van-related thefts were reported in London last year—equivalent to 40 vans being targeted every day.
Most incidents (11,532) involved theft from vans, while 2,997 were cases of vans being stolen outright. Unfortunately, over half of the stolen vehicles (1,604) were never recovered. Of those found, 923 were intact, and 470 were damaged.
Among the 25 police forces that responded to the FOI request, West Yorkshire came second after London with nearly 2,000 van-related crimes in 2023 (902 stolen vans and 1,071 thefts from vans).
Essex followed in third place, recording 1,882 van-related crimes last year. Here, thefts from vans (1,476) far outnumbered stolen vans (406).
Top 15 Van Theft and Break-In Hotspots in 2023
- London (Met Police) – 14,529
- West Yorkshire – 1,973
- Essex – 1,882
- Leicestershire – 1,237
- Avon and Somerset – 876
- South Wales – 751
- Nottinghamshire – 746
- Northamptonshire – 553
- South Yorkshire – 533
- Humberside – 336
- Surrey – 327
- Hertfordshire – 262
- Bedfordshire – 242
- Lincolnshire – 228
- North Yorkshire – 208
Lowest Van Theft Rates in the UK
At the other end of the spectrum, Dorset and Devon and Cornwall reported just 40 van-related crimes each in 2023.
- Dorset – 40
- Devon and Cornwall – 40
- North Wales – 66
- Derbyshire – 94
- Cambridgeshire – 105
The FOI findings also highlighted the Ford Transit as the most targeted van by thieves across the UK.
Nicholas Shaw, operations director at Dayinsure, which carried out the analysis, advises van owners to stay vigilant: “We recommend taking all the necessary precautions to protect the vehicle and its contents.
“Especially in the winter, when it gets dark earlier, you should always ensure your van is parked safely and don’t leave it unattended.
“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.”
