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sensor lights and cameras outside your garage or home. It can also help to keep your van in a locked garage overnight. Protect your windows Another area that's vulnerable to break-ins are your windows. Thieves are likely to look through them to see what tools you have stored inside and, if they see something they like, some will smash the windows as a way of entry. If your van has rear windows, parking against a wall can block their way in. But you could also make it more difficult to see inside by tinting the glass or covering your windows with a professionally printed window sticker or window security film. You should also consider installing steel grilles, which will make it difficult for thieves to break the glass and get inside. A s a car mechanic, your tools are an essential part of your job, which means it can severely damage your livelihood if they are stolen. Tool theft is becoming more and more common, according to research conducted by insurance company Simply Business. The results found that insurance claims for incidents involving tool theft were increasing, along with the value of the tools being stolen. And, whether you run a garage or a vehicle repair company, your tools are your livelihood, and replacing them could cost you a fortune. In addition, the average value of tool theft is estimated to be around £1,692, according to research conducted by Powertools2U, but some workers have found themselves around £14,000 out of pocket after just one break-in. And that's not including the amount of money you would need to spend on vehicle repairs. It's not just the monetary impact either, as missing tools can put a halt to your work, which can damage your reputation and lead to even more loss. Tool theft, particularly from vans, has become so much of a problem in the UK, that it's encouraged the creation of #noVANber, a campaign calling on the government to protect tradesmen and women from break- ins. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take in order to protect your van from tool theft. By knowing the areas that thieves are more likely to target, you can take preventative measures to help make your van more secure. Next, I'll be going through the spots 56 AFTERMARKET DECEMBER/JANUARY 2020 BUSINESS www.aftermarketonline.net FIVE WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR VAN FROM TOOL THEFT There are the areas of your van that thieves are more likely to target. Here, you can find out how you can protect them on your van that are more vulnerable to break ins as well as how you can protect them. Park against a wall The main area that thieves are likely to target are your doors. Usually, they will apply pressure to the bottom of the door with their knees, which can allow them to peel the top of the door down. This is called the 'peel and steal' method and can help thieves gain entry into your van in just a few minutes. To prevent it, try to park your van doors against a wall at night or when the vehicle is not in use. This will block the entry to your van door and can help prevent thieves from using the 'peel and steal' method. It'll also offer you extra layers of security if you can park in a well-lit area with CCTV, so consider installing motion BY Mark Barclay, Ecommerce Manager at GSF Car Parts

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