London is the van theft capital of the UK, with October being a peak month for van-related thefts, according to a new study.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request sent to police forces across the country revealed that 14,529 incidents were recorded last year in London alone, equivalent to 40 vans being targeted per day in the capital.

Most of these cases involved thefts from vans (11,532), while 2,997 cases of vans being stolen were reported to the Met Police.

Of the stolen vehicles, more than half (1,604) were not recovered, while 923 were found intact and 470 damaged.

With 25 law enforcement agencies responding to the FOI’s request for information, London was followed by West Yorkshire as a hotspot for van theft.

Here, there were 902 thefts from vans and 1,071 thefts from vans (or just under 2,000 van-related crimes) in 2023.

Following closely in third place, Essex Police recorded 1,882 van-related crimes last year. However, there was a greater proportion of thefts from vehicles (1,476), compared to thefts from the vehicles themselves (406).

Hotspots for van theft and break-ins

1. Metropolitan Police (London) – 14,529
2. West Yorkshire Police – 1,973
3. Essex Police – 1,882
4. Leicestershire Constabulary – 1,237
5. Avon and Somerset – 876
6. South Wales Police – 751
7. Nottinghamshire Police – 746
8. Northamptonshire Police – 553
9. South Yorkshire Police – 533
10. Humberside Police – 336
11. Surrey Police – 327
12. Hertfordshire Constabulary – 262
13. Bedfordshire Police – 242

14. Lincolnshire Police – 228
15. North Yorkshire Police – 208

In comparison, Dorset Police as well as Devon and Cornwall recorded relatively low numbers of van crimes in 2023, with just 40 crimes recorded in each area.

Areas of the UK with the lowest number of van thefts and break-ins

1. Dorset Police – 40
2. Devon and Cornwall Constabulary – 40
3. North Wales Police – 66
4. Derbyshire Constabulary – 94
5. Cambridgeshire Constabulary – 105

The Ford Transit was the make and model of van most targeted by thieves nationwide, according to FOI findings.

Nicholas Shaw, operations director at Dayinsure who carried out the analysis, said: “We recommend that you take all necessary precautions to protect the vehicle and its contents.

“Especially in winter, when darkness falls earlier, you should always make sure your van is parked safely and do not leave it unattended.

“Just like the regular vehicle maintenance checks that should be carried out, like topping up your oil or checking your tire pressure, taking time every day to make sure your van is parked safely when Whether it’s not used should be at the forefront of every van driver’s mind. spirit.”