Vehicle Theft Figures Should Sound Fleet Alarm Bells
June 7, 2023
Businesses with a fleet of company cars or vans should be aware of the increase in car thefts and make sure that all their drivers are taking care to protect their vehicles.
A shortage of car parts is thought to be fuelling a rise in vehicle thefts. Thieves are said to be stripping down stolen vehicles within hours, so that their components can be sold on.[1]
There was a much-publicised computer chip shortage during 2021[2] but other car parts have also been hard to come by. Factory production of car has still not recovered with long waits for brand-new vehicles. Used vehicles are having to be owned for longer, putting pressures on car parts for repairs. Thieves are capitalising on the situation.
Fleet owners should ensure all drivers are aware of thefts and urge them to be cautious about where and how they park.
It sounds obvious, but never leave keys in the ignition, even to just run into a shop or petrol station. It only takes a second for a thief to steal a car that is ready to go. Delivery drivers should be extra cautious about this, prioritising vehicle security over speedy drop offs where they keep the engine running, whilst they head to a front door.
Drivers should also not rely too heavily on automatic locking systems via their key fobs. Thieves can use blocking devices to prevent the key signal working as the driver presses the fob and then swoop once the driver has left the car, believing it to be locked.
Adding extra security devices such as a steering lock could also be advantageous, as the more deterrents in place, the more likely it is that a thief will opt for an alternative target.
In the year to March 7, 2022, there were 88,915 vehicle thefts. This equated to around 244 vehicle thefts a day.
Keeping company vehicles safe is imperative for any business, particularly when it is currently so difficult to replace vehicles and parts quickly.
Risk management is more important than ever and it is well worth analysing all of your risks with us at Bridges Insurance Brokers, putting into place procedures and policies that adequately cover your business needs to protect your assets, people and operations.
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[2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58230388
