Ford Transit Tops UK Van Theft Figures: How to Protect Your Work Van

Newly published DVLA figures show Ford Transit variants account for more than half of reported van thefts across the periods examined. Here's what UK businesses need to know.

For thousands of UK tradespeople and small businesses, a van is much more than transport.

It's a mobile workshop, a place to store equipment and often the only way to get to customers and earn a living.

So when a work van is stolen, the consequences can be devastating — not just because of the vehicle itself, but because of the tools, missed appointments and lost working time that can follow.

New van theft figures published in September 2026 have once again put the Ford Transit at the top of Britain's most frequently stolen vans.

But what do the numbers actually tell us, and what can businesses do to protect themselves?

Ford Transit accounts for more than half of reported van thefts

According to figures obtained through a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Freedom of Information request and published by Anglo Scottish in September 2026, Ford Transit variants accounted for more than half of recorded van thefts across 2024, 2025 and January–July 2026.

The published figures show:

That means Ford Transit variants represented approximately 52.6% of the recorded thefts across those periods.

The figures were stated to be correct as of 4 August 2026.

Source: Anglo Scottish, DVLA Freedom of Information findings published September 2026. The source's accompanying text gives 2,776 Transit thefts for January–July 2026, while its table gives 2,778. The figures above follow the published table.

Does this mean a Ford Transit is more likely to be stolen?

Not necessarily.

The Ford Transit is one of the UK's most widely used commercial vehicles, including among tradespeople, delivery companies and larger fleets.

A model appearing frequently in theft statistics doesn't automatically mean each individual vehicle has a higher chance of being stolen.

To establish that, we'd need to compare the number of thefts with the number of each van model on the road.

What these figures do demonstrate is the scale of the problem facing commercial vehicle owners.

Are van thefts increasing?

The figures actually show a reduction between 2024 and 2025.

Recorded van thefts fell from 11,393 to 9,585 — approximately 16% fewer thefts.

That's encouraging.

However, 5,137 van thefts were still recorded during the first seven months of 2026.

Because the 2026 figures cover only part of the year, we cannot yet use them to establish the full-year trend.

For individual businesses, the consequences of a single theft can still be significant.

Why are work vans attractive to thieves?

Commercial vans can be valuable targets for several reasons.

The vehicle itself has value. Vans can be targeted for resale, parts or other criminal purposes.

They often contain expensive tools. Electricians, plumbers, builders, landscapers and engineers may carry thousands of pounds' worth of equipment.

They follow predictable routines. Many work vans are parked outside the same homes, depots or business premises overnight.

Theft can disrupt an entire business. Losing a van may mean losing the equipment and transport needed to complete booked work.

And that final point is often overlooked.

The real cost of a stolen work van

Imagine you're a self-employed electrician.

You finish work, park your van outside your home and head inside.

The following morning, the van has disappeared.

Even if you have comprehensive insurance, you could still face:

• An insurance excess

• Lost tools and equipment

• Missed customer appointments

• Replacement vehicle hire

• Time spent dealing with insurers and police

• Delays while sourcing replacement tools

• Lost income while you're unable to work

And if you employ several people, the disruption can extend beyond one person's working day.

The financial impact depends on your circumstances and insurance cover, but a stolen van can cost a business far more than the value of the vehicle itself.

That's why prevention and preparation matter.

Six practical ways to improve work van security

No single security measure can guarantee that a vehicle won't be stolen.

But combining sensible precautions can make your van less vulnerable.

1. Choose secure parking

Where possible, park in a well-lit location or a secure yard with controlled access.

If your vans are stored at business premises, review the security of the site itself.

2. Use physical security

Suitable steering-wheel locks, additional door security and other physical deterrents can make unauthorised access more difficult.

3. Protect valuable tools

Remove expensive equipment overnight where practical.

Check whether your insurance includes tools and equipment, as ordinary vehicle cover may not automatically protect everything inside.

4. Keep keys secure

Store vehicle keys away from doors and windows.

Follow your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for keyless-entry security where applicable.

5. Review your insurance

Make sure your policy accurately reflects how your van is used, where it's kept and what equipment it carries.

Check whether your insurer specifies particular security requirements.

6. Consider GPS vehicle tracking

A GPS tracker can provide another layer of security by allowing you to monitor your van's location and movement.

It won't physically prevent theft, but it may provide valuable information if something unexpected happens.

How can GPS tracking help protect a work van?

At Global Trackers, we provide GPS tracking solutions for individual vehicles and business fleets.

Our tracking platform includes several useful security features.

Live vehicle location

See the location reported by your vehicle's GPS tracker using your phone, tablet or computer.

Movement alerts

Where supported and configured, alerts can help bring unexpected vehicle activity to your attention.

Geofencing

Create virtual boundaries around important locations such as your home, depot or business premises.

The platform can register when a tracked vehicle enters or leaves these areas and generate alerts according to your settings.

Journey history

Review previous movements and recorded journeys.

This information may help establish where a vehicle has travelled if something goes wrong.

Tracking depends on the device remaining operational, satellite reception and mobile connectivity. No system can guarantee continuous tracking or vehicle recovery.

READ NEXT: What Is GPS Geofencing and How Does It Work?

What about immobilisation?

Some GPS tracking devices can support additional immobilisation functionality.

Global Trackers' GT1 and GT3 devices support immobilisation when correctly wired and configured.

This is a separate function from ordinary location tracking and requires an appropriate installation.

Immobilisation must always be used safely and should never be treated as a way to remotely stop a moving vehicle.

If immobilisation is important to you, speak to us before choosing your tracker.

READ NEXT: Can I Immobilise My Car or Van Using a GPS Tracker?

What should you do if your van is stolen?

If you discover your van has been stolen, act promptly.

Report it to the police. Call 101 or use the appropriate police reporting service. Call 999 if a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger.

Provide tracking information. If your van has a GPS tracker, tell the police and provide relevant location information where available.

Contact your insurer. Report the theft and follow the claims procedure.

Record missing equipment. Make a list of stolen tools, stock and other belongings, keeping receipts and serial numbers where possible.

Protect your business. Consider whether stolen keys, paperwork or access devices create additional security risks.

If your insurer pays out for the stolen vehicle, GOV.UK also explains that you must notify DVLA when the vehicle is transferred to the insurer.

Never attempt to recover a stolen vehicle yourself simply because you can see its location on a tracking map.

What if your business runs several vans?

GPS tracking isn't only useful when a vehicle goes missing.

For businesses managing several vehicles, tracking can also help with everyday operations.

You can view multiple vehicles through one platform, review journeys and understand where your vehicles are being used.

Depending on the hardware and configuration, additional information may include mileage, idling, driving events and maintenance records.

This means tracking can provide practical value throughout the working week, not just during a security incident.

READ NEXT: How Can I Track All My Work Vans?

Protect your van. Protect your business.

The latest van theft figures are a reminder that commercial vehicle security deserves attention.

The Ford Transit appears prominently in the statistics, but owners of other vans shouldn't assume they're immune.

Whether you drive a Transit, Sprinter, Transporter, Vivaro or another work van, the consequences of theft can be serious.

For tradespeople and small businesses, protecting the vehicle means protecting the tools, appointments and income that depend on it.

At Global Trackers, we provide straightforward GPS tracking solutions for private owners and businesses.

Whether you're looking to protect one work van or manage a larger fleet, we're happy to help you choose a suitable tracking setup.

Explore our GPS vehicle trackers or contact Global Trackers to discuss your requirements.

Tracking made easy. Support that makes the difference.

Sources

• Anglo Scottish — DVLA Freedom of Information findings, published September 2026

• GOV.UK — What to do if your vehicle has been stolen

• Police.uk — Preventing vehicle theft