Awoke this morn at 6 sharp with 4 other lads. Left digs and opened vans to chuck bags in to realise all our tools had gone.

2 brand new citroen relay vans with 6 lads worth of gear gone, copper 15mm and 22mm bundles (left the bigger gear) took us 10mins to figure out how they got in. Small hole punched on the underside of rear door handle (vans still locked when we opened them in the morn?)

Was at peartree service travelodge thats 6 of our livelyhoods shafted and one of the six lads on hols (his gear in van vault) wont know till hes back.

Feel physically sick, just a heads up for owners of the relay ducato and partner to be wary and to fit a armour padlock on side and rear doors.

insured?

Ah, that’s shit. Really sorry to hear that 🙁 Best of luck getting back on track.

EDIT: To be fair though, possibly leave experimentation to non-school nights?

Awoke this morn at 6 sharp with 4 other lads

Not a nice feeling 🙁

Any CCTV about?

No cctv only a anpr camera on entry to the services to check times for parking. Police found one print awaiting more info and we all work cards in for the firm so I want to knkw where we stand on replacements as nearly 10k of gear has gone inc specialist equipment which is useless to average joe. Jist want to warn about the fact the vans locks are poor and van vaults aint worth anything!!!!!!

Are they the vans with the light above the handle? If you have one of those all you need to do is smash it and you can lift the lock lever and you are in, terrible design and thieves know it. Either use a plate or internal hasp and saple

Theyre the brand new 13 plate citroen relays lwb high top vans two weeks old!!! They have a high level brake lighg and just a black handle with a lock on rhs rear door. Bin the same shape since 07 I think. Just gutted really, still dont think its sunk in.

Sorry to hear it, hope you get sorted.

Peartree Oxford?

Sorry to hear…

Are van vaults really that poor… I have one and always though my gear was safe as. Might have to review that now 😐

Yes peartree oxford we were working in abingdon. Imo vanvaults slow people down ive spoke to a few people and their vaults have all bin broken into also.

I’ve got the big eff off kryptonite locks on my rear and side doors, plus a cat 1 alarm with flashing Led’s everywhere.

I got done least year, punched a tiny hole under the passenger side door lock. They took about 5 grand worth, luckily I was well insured and they paid out. Was a nightmare for a couple of weeks bit got all new gear in the end. Locks and alarm went on immediately after, if you fit them right, they’re not coming off without an angle grinder. Only cost about 30 quid each too

They had all the time in the world and they knew exactly how to get in and open the van vaults too. They didnt leave a mess moved all boxes and restacked.

There was a basin with fittings left on the grass and a lump hammer.

Sounds like a pro job, they would of taken the vans or broken the windows if they couldnt get the doors open.

Talking to a staff member at B and Q last week she said vans are being targeted on their car park, as the crims know the traders will be in there for a while.

Just be careful where you park your van, reverse up to walls or against another van.

Just found out a site got done over also just to the back of the carpark where we were parked.

Sorry to hear this Big Phil,I hope a very painful, penile destroying disease effects the thieves and anyone associated with their activities.

Good luck

http://www.loklogik.com/

These guys do the locks for British Gas vans. The electronic slam locks are good as they are more discrete.

Thanks everyone. Got the company card today and replaced 80% of the gear so a lot happier now.

Its the daft things like the old screwdrivers I use for podgers and the modified stuff.

The father inlaw said it best last night. You can steal a mans tv or money and annoy him, but steal a mans tools you take food off the table.

You can steal a mans anything and you’re an amoral shitbag.

If your tv or laptop get pinched its not the end of the world. Due to our boss being ok about it and sorting us new tools, wed have bin shafted and lost money and had to spend thousands to get back up to earning again thats the killer

Sorry to hear that mate, had my bike nicked last year but your work tools are a totally different ball game. Looked as if they knew what they were doing, as with my bike, so only thing you can do is beef up security a bit and hope for the best 👿

The gaffer got 30 of the same vans so will cost a lot to beef em up a bit and then its only a time issue. The looks of it they wernt rushing as above they moved gear insids to get to the tools. Probably had a pinched van and hi vis vests on.