Van drivers are being warned to be more conscious about the way they handle or mis-handle their keys. In particular delivery drivers who are in and out of their vehicle in a matter of seconds and in a bid not to waste time turning the engine over each time they returned, running the possibility of wearing down the battery. By doing this the drivers are clearly presenting a temptation to opportunistic thieves.

Unfortunately as many other companies have found, such action has led to the invalidation of their van insurance policy. Crime reduction manager Trevor Timson emphasised how “companies are risking breaching the conditions of their insurance by doing this as if keys are left in the vehicle or the engine kept running while the vehicle is unattended, the driver can be considered negligent.

This has been a particular problem for the police officers in the area of North Nottinghamshire, where since the first of September twelve raids have taken place. Police say that the thieves have been taking advantage of people leaving their vehicles vulnerable. Some have left their keys in a jacket pocket while away from their vehicles, while others have left their engines running while they ‘pop’ out.