Being a tradesman and a DIYer I rely on my van a lot. But it wasn’t only a van. It was a Ford Transit van with 6 seats so it was a huge family car as well, great for days out or throwing the bikes in the back for a trip to the park.
Van number 1
Back in 2006 I bought my first van after spending many years struggling getting tools and materials into my car.
It wasn’t a big van but it was so much better for me than a car.
It was a Ford Transit connect lwb van and it served me well for many years. Time moved on and we had our first child. The van only had 2 seats so this was a problem if the 3 of us wanted to go out in it. Fortunately my wife had a car so we got to go places in that.
Then we decided to have another baby. It was time for me to get a bigger van with more seats. And it just so happened someone I knew was selling a Ford Transit with a crew cab (6 seats).
Van number 2
I couldn’t believe my luck. This van was perfect. Plenty of space for us all and room for grandparents as well. The luggage compartment was big enough for all my tools and plenty of materials. And the rear seats folded down so I could get long lengths of timber in and even 8ft by 4ft sheets of mdf and plasterboard could easily fit in. It was the ideal van for me.
After only having the new van for about 4 months the unthinkable happened. It was stolen from the car park of my place of work. It was one of the worst feelings standing there looking at the empty space where my van had been parked.
That was the first stolen Ford Transit van.
The police were informed straight away but they told me not to get my hopes up. The next day I watched on cctv the thieves pulled up to the van in a car, 2 got out and within 4 minutes they had gained access and were driving it away without the keys and with about £4000 worth of my tools in the back. ☹🔨 I didn’t think this was possible but after reading posts online it seems it is quite easy to do with a Ford Transit.
It was a difficult time, it took a long time to get over the loss. The insurance company paid out no problem and I bought a Renault Traffic sport van but without the rear seats. I had the intentions of getting them fitted afterwards.
Van number 3
The Renault Traffic was a great van with lots of gadgets and even a sat nav but it wasn’t my old van. I missed the Transit. After 6 months or so I still hadn’t had the rear seats fitted and I had found a van the same as my old one.
Of course I bought the Transit again but I was determined not to have this one stolen. Extra security devices were fitted and I had locks on everything that was lockable. I was happy to have it back but always had the worry of it’s security.
Van number 4
I had this van for about 5 years, it saw a lot of work, it helped us move house and we had some great days out in it. But here I am writing this article a week after having it stolen again. ☹ It was stolen from the same place in the same way and all of the extra security and locks were bypassed somehow????
As you can imagine I am devastated again. Another stolen Ford Transit van.
But these things happen and it’s best not to dwell on them. Now I need to find myself a new vehicle when the insurance company pay out. Until then I am a pedestrian.
I hope this article holds a warning for anyone with a vehicle, not just a van. Thieves know what they are doing and will get what they want. The police are too busy to spend much time on cases like this and the manufacturers don’t seem to care. All the security issues with the old model of transit and I’ve read that the new model of Transit has much the same problem. They are very desirable to thieves and are easy to gain access and drive away.
It’s a horrible thing to be a victim of any crime but this feels quite personal, maybe not as bad as last time because fortunately I don’t keep any tools in the van anymore so I didn’t loose any this time.
If this or something similar has happened to you then I would like to hear about it in the comments below. Maybe you have some helpful security tips that you could share to help others avoid going through this. Or if you have any knowledge as to how it is so easy to take vehicles then please let us know. Any recommendations as to my next secure van would be appreciated http://spendtimesavemoney.com/index.php/contact/
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Rubbish Rob 😢 some scum on this planet!