Radius Telematics has revealed that it has seen an increase in the thefts of commercial vehicles and plant since the Coronavirus lockdown. With many offices, factories and construction sites abandoned thieves appear to be taking advantage of unattended locations.
According to Radius, vehicles and plant are especially vulnerable as the thefts may go unreported for many days or even weeks.
“From security tracker alerts we have seen a doubling in plant and van theft since the lockdown began. It’s incredible that when we are all self-isolating and worrying about a deadly virus, crime is being committed while people and organisations are so vulnerable,” said Greville Coe, Managing Director of Radius Telematics.
One particularly disturbing theft was of a van stolen from a hospice for the terminally ill. The incident in Coventry on the 29th of March saw a property belonging to The Myton Hospices ransacked and the theft of their Ford Transit van. Fortunately, the vehicle was fitted with a Sure-Track tracker and the vehicle was safely recovered after three days.
“It’s shocking that thieves would target a charity caring for the terminally ill in what is an exceptionally difficult time,” said Greville Coe.
