Delivery van drivers in Nottinghamshire are being urged to turn off their engines and take their keys with them. This warning came after an increase in van thefts.  Nottinghamshire has witnessed 12 van thefts since the start of September after the keys were left in the ignitions.

Nottinghamshire Police crime reduction manager stated that the risk of leaving keys in a van is a breach of van insurance safety: “Delivery drivers often leave their keys in the ignition with the engine running to save time starting the engine each time and also to prevent the battery from wearing down. This is clearly a temptation to thieves who only need seconds to jump in the driver's seat and steal the vehicle. In some cases companies are risking breaching the conditions of their insurance by doing this.”

Van insurance premiums can also be lowered if the van driver presents less of a risk: “When you leave your vehicle always make sure it is locked and that all the windows are shut. If you have an alarm or immobiliser ensure it is activated.”