Preventing being robbed

[Northernarbsupplies]

Hi all,

 

It is far too common for Tree Surgeons to have their equipment stolen.

 

Does anyone have any tips to prevent this?

 

Ours are:

• Lock the van doors and windows whenever possible. Even if you are only working a few metres away.
  
• Don't label your van with your company name/logo. This just tells thieves the likely contents of your van.
  
• Don't leave your most expensive equipment in the van at night.
  
• Make sure you have a high-quality lock on your van. Add a reinforced deadlock or deadbolt. They work independently from your standard door locks.
  
• Leave your van in safer areas, well lit, busy places are best.
  
• Show you take security serious, steering or handbrake locks, and mesh grilles windows.
  
• Add a sticker saying you have a tracker device, even if you don't.
  
• Get a van tracking device
  
• Have some secure van boxes fitted. These are high-quality metal boxes, with anti-drill locks.
  
• Have a Armaplate fitted - this encases the lock barrel and surrounding area.
  

 

I would love to hear what other people use. What are your experiences? What do you recommend?

[eggsarascal]

I recommend you don't tell anyone what your security measures are.

[Gerbutt]

Treat every day as if it's the day you are going to get robbed, being complacent is just adding to the chances of it happening.

 

 

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[tree-fancier123]

a couple of possibilities with chippers and trailers - if the container and / or yard are fairly isolated and likely to get done over - consider taking the wheels off trailers and chippers and leaving them on axle stands. Maybe take an extra 10mins with battery impact wrench.

 

A tracked chipper , could even take the starter motor off.

Of course none of this works if they hiab.

Chainsaws take them to bed

[tree-fancier123]

I recommend you don't tell anyone what your security measures are.

 

this - I bet loads of the interbred vermin read these pages

[peatff]

Chain your stuff to the tie downs in the back of the van.

[Shane]

There's a simple heirarchy to base your strategy on.

Invisible - If they don't know you are there, no problem

Very hard to nick - Make it so that when they can see it they are deterred from trying.

Visual presence - Be seen to be 'with the kit' attended kit is usually safe.

 

Like someone said above - assume someone is trying to rob you (they probably are, based on the number of reports on here).

1. Make your van/kit invisible - park off road if possible.

2. Be seen to be well protected (locks, wheelclamps visible to would be sneakyshites)

3. Be visible yourselves - frequently pop out to the van, and if you see anyone suspicious just walk towards them/their vehicle looking very interested.

All the above in whatever combination is possible and NEVER leave anything unattended without locking it up.

[Northernarbsupplies]

eggsarascal and tree-fancier123

For sure, don't post the code of your number lock or the exact location of where you hide your valuables.

More general experiences. If they want something, they will get it, Oceans 11 tells us that. It is about making it as difficult as possible, so it isn't worth it for them.

 

Even if people are insured, it still damages a business and people lose equipment that meant a lot to them.

[Northernarbsupplies]

Gerbutt - Great advice.

[dan494]

a couple of possibilities with chippers and trailers - if the container and / or yard are fairly isolated and likely to get done over - consider taking the wheels off trailers and chippers and leaving them on axle stands. Maybe take an extra 10mins with battery impact wrench.

 

 

 

I did this when kept a chipper in a garage, added leaving it on a caravan locking winter wheel stand. Using a drill with a socket adapter I could switch wheel and stand in under 4 minutes. Highly recommend doing this.

 

 

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