Van break-ins are happening every 23 minutes in Britain, new research suggests.

The frequency of the break-ins, identified in research by Zego Insurance, is prompting drivers to use social media platforms to share their concerns.

Stories range from TikTok videos of tradesmen chasing thieves on camera to Facebook posts detailing the aftermath of break-ins.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the light commercial vehicle (LCV) market has seen growth of 8.4% year-on-year.

January marked the best month for the market in three years.

However, the rise parallels an uptick in van thefts.

From 2019 to 2022, stolen vans per 1,000 registrations increased from 4.36 to 4.55.

Data suggests that last year, 11,000 vans were stolen.

Zego Insurance suggests that van thefts can disrupt operations, costing on average £4,300, with post-break-in repairs amounting to an average of £750. Beyond the material impact, 71 per cent of tradespeople report anxiety after their tools are stolen, according to the research.

46 per cent of those who report the theft to the police manage to recover some of their tools.

Strategies to enhance van security, according to Zego Insurance, include installation of alarms, additional locks, trackers, catalytic converter locks, and locking wheel nuts.

The firm also recommends that businesses educate drivers about best practices for van security, including selecting well-lit areas with CCTV coverage for parking, locking up vehicles, keeping valuables out of sight, and protecting key fobs.

Businesses may consider making use of a smartphone app to locate, unlock, and check the status of a vehicle.

Ensuring these apps are protected by strong passwords or PINs is recommended.

In the unfortunate event of a theft, the incident should be reported to the local police along with the registration number, make, model, and colour of the van.

The police will produce a crime reference number and inform the DVLA.

Victims of theft should inform their insurance company of the incident, and ensure that their policy covers theft.

By employing these preventative measures, businesses can contribute to lowering the rate of van thefts and safeguard their assets.

More information can be found on Zego Insurance's website at www.zego.com/van-insurance/.