More than 11,000 vans were reported stolen in the UK last year, with the total value of the thefts estimated at a jaw-dropping £200 million. That works out to 31 vans disappearing every single day, according to new figures released by Direct Line van insurance.

The analysis reveals that just 39% of stolen vans were successfully recovered by police – meaning around 6,800 vans are likely still in the hands of criminals or lost for good. Despite a slight fall in thefts compared to 2023, the numbers underline how van theft remains a serious concern for tradespeople and small businesses.

The Ford Transit, the backbone of Britain’s van fleet, was the most common target. With 5,906 stolen in 2024, it accounted for more than half of all reported thefts. That’s not entirely surprising – the Transit is the UK’s most popular van range, although we think Direct Line has merged Transit, Transit Custom, and the other Transit variants together. Regardless, its popularity makes it catnip for criminals.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Peugeot Boxer had the highest theft rate in relation to the number of vans on the road. With 524 stolen last year, that equates to 7.7 thefts per 1,000 Boxers registered – a higher rate than the Mercedes Sprinter, which saw 7.5 thefts per 1,000 vehicles.

Stolen vans need security

Here’s how the top five most stolen vans broke down in 2024:

Van modelTotal stolenThefts per 1,000
Ford Transit5,9065.8
Mercedes Sprinter1,4927.5
Peugeot Boxer5247.7
Vauxhall Vivaro4231.6
Citroen Relay4056.0

While nearly half of the stolen Transits were recovered – 2,041 in total – most van owners weren’t so lucky. For many, the loss of a van has a knock-on effect that goes far beyond the vehicle itself.

“Van theft has a devastating impact on the businesses and individuals who rely on their vans for their daily lives and work,” said Eva Sandstra-Bennett, van product manager at Direct Line business insurance.

“It isn’t just the cost of replacing a van – there’s lost income if businesses can’t make deliveries or if tradespeople can’t get to the site.”

Sandstra-Bennett also urged van owners to take extra precautions: “While police efforts in recovering stolen vans is commendable, individual prevention remains the most effective way to deter thieves.”

Top tips for van security:

  • Keep keys in a Faraday pouch to block relay attacks.
  • Park in well-lit, secure areas – preferably with CCTV.
  • Use visible deterrents like a steering wheel lock.
  • Install a tracker or immobiliser for better recovery chances.
  • Remove tools and valuables overnight, if possible.

As van theft evolves with ever-more sophisticated tactics – including key cloning, signal jamming and relay attacks – owners are being warned to stay one step ahead. And with so many vans never found, investing in a few simple security upgrades could prove more than worth the cost.

Phil Huff
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