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Sussex Installations Helping van owners stay one step ahead of thieves. Sussex Installations designs, manufactures and installs innovative van security products.
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Every week we inspect real break-ins, analyse how thieves are changing their methods, and develop solutions!

A few moments from the Fix Radio Tool Theft Conference. It was good to hear people from across the trade, policing, manu...
24/10/2026

A few moments from the Fix Radio Tool Theft Conference. It was good to hear people from across the trade, policing, manufacturing and support organisations speak openly about what tool theft is doing to people’s work and lives.

I joined the van-security panel to make one point in particular: security needs to keep up as theft methods change. Van owners need clear advice about how their factory security works, which weaknesses affect their particular van, and which upgrades will actually add value.

Thanks to Fix Radio for bringing everyone together—and to everyone who shared their experience. What’s the one change you think would make the biggest difference to van and tool theft?

Fix Radio Louis Timpany Clive Holland The Lighthouse Charity Band of Builders Wickes Campaign Against Living Miserably Hilti Great Britain National Federation of Builders Squire Locks Festool UK Professor Emmeline Taylor Metropolitan Police Rupert Matthews Amanda Martin MP

Talking about the Human Toll caused by Tool Theft at the Fix Radio Tool Theft Conference with a very moving real life st...
23/10/2026

Talking about the Human Toll caused by Tool Theft at the Fix Radio Tool Theft Conference with a very moving real life story by Stephen Baker. Some amazing charities Lighthouse Charity Band of Builders Campaign Against Living Miserably Charity doing great work and being supported by Fix Radio Wickes

A very passionate View from the Trades yesterday at the Fix Radio The Fix Radio Tool Theft Conference 2026 - Fazeley Stu...
23/10/2026

A very passionate View from the Trades yesterday at the Fix Radio The Fix Radio Tool Theft Conference 2026 - Fazeley Studios, 191 Fazeley St, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5SE · Date: Thursday 22nd October 2026 Fix Radio Stolen tools UK

17/10/2026

**13 YEARS LATER… VAN THIEVES ARE STILL USING THE SAME BREAK-IN METHOD!**

Back in 2013, we published a video showing how thieves were attacking the rear door handles on Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar vans.

At the time, we repaired the damage and upgraded the security using a replacement SlamHandle with a built-in slamlock.

Fast forward to 2026. The SlamHandles have been discontinued, but the same type of attack is still happening!

And the vulnerable handle design is still used on certain newer high-roof Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar vans.

So we've developed a new stainless steel security shield to help prevent the handle being ripped out, protect the surrounding door panel and cover existing damage.

In this video, I revisit our original 2013 footage and demonstrate the new solution.

**Have you experienced this type of van break-in?**

16/10/2026

**13 YEARS LATER… SAME VAN BREAK-IN METHOD!**

Back in 2013, we showed how thieves were attacking the rear door handles on Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar vans.

The security solution we fitted back then has now been discontinued… but the break-in method hasn't disappeared!

So we've developed a NEW solution.

🎥 **Full video premieres TONIGHT at 6:30 PM on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QomB6fweQ5c

21/09/2026

Instagram Saved This Tradesman’s Stolen Tools After Thieves Broke Into His Ford Transit Van! 😳

Electrician Will had his tools stolen from his work van — but a simple QR code linking them to his Instagram profile helped those tools find their way back to him.

Would you do this to your tools?

11/09/2026

Share with tradesmen as it could save their tools! - Thieves drilled through electrician Will's Ford Transit, defeated the original door-locking mechanism and stole the tools he relies on for work—but remarkably, Will managed to get them back.

In this video, Will tells us what happened and explains how his stolen tools were recovered. I then examine the damage to his van, show where the thieves drilled through the door and explain how this type of Ford Transit break-in works.

The damage might look crude, but the position of the holes shows that the thieves knew which part of the internal locking mechanism they needed to attack.

We regularly inspect vans after real theft attempts and break-ins. Understanding exactly how criminals gained entry helps van owners choose the right protection—and helps us develop security products that respond to the methods thieves are actually using.

Tool theft is much more than the loss of equipment. It can prevent a tradesperson from working, disrupt jobs and customer commitments, increase insurance costs and threaten someone’s livelihood.

Will was fortunate enough to recover his tools. Many tradespeople never see theirs again.

Have you ever had tools stolen from a van? Let us know what happened in the comments.

On The Tools Fix Radio Skill Builder

Sussex Installations

Website: https://www.sussexinstallations.co.uk/
--------------------
Chapters
00:00 Electrician Gets His Stolen Tools Back
00:13 How Thieves Drilled Into Will’s Van
00:50 How Will Got His Tools Back
01:10 Why the Thieves Dumped the Toolboxes
01:45 How an Instagram QR Code Helped Recover the Tools
02:00 Why the Small “Odds and Sods” Tools Matter
02:20 Different Ways to Mark and Identify Tools
03:49 Working With a Badly Damaged Van
04:24 Jeff Inspects the Van Break-In Damage
04:44 Repairing the Damage With a Security Shield
05:00 Protecting the Factory Lock With Stealth Shields
05:32 Double Hook Deadlocks for the Side Door
06:06 Anti-Peel Bracket Protection
06:27 Rear-Door External and Internal Security Shields
06:55 Twin Hook Locks for the Rear Barn Doors
07:10 Cab-Door Deadlocks and OBD Port Protection
07:33 Will Sees His Secured Van
07:53 The Aftermath of a Van Break-In
09:10 How Do You Carry On After a Break-In?
09:34 Van Break-In Repairs and Security



Find out more on our website at https://www.sussexinstallations.co.uk

09/09/2026

Will had his tools stolen after thieves drilled into his Ford Transit—but unlike most victims of tool theft, he actually managed to get them back.

He explains what happened, while we examine exactly how his van was attacked.

Have you ever had tools stolen—and did you ever see them again?

29/07/2026

Should You Buy a RepLock for the New Ford Transit Custom?

If you've recently bought a new Ford Transit Custom, one of the first security upgrades you'll probably hear about is fitting a RepLock.

But should it really be your first upgrade?

After more than 21 years fitting van security and specialising in commercial vehicle security since 2008, I've learnt that effective van security isn't about buying the most popular product—it's about protecting the manufacturer's weakest points first.

In this video I discuss:

✔ Is a RepLock the right place to start?

✔ Are some security upgrades still being recommended because they were effective against older attack methods?

✔ How have thieves changed the way they attack modern vans?

✔ Which areas of the new Ford Transit Custom should you consider protecting first?

✔ Why I believe van security should always be based on current attack methods, not those commonly seen ten years ago.

Every van owner wants to spend their money wisely. My aim is to help you understand where your security budget will have the biggest impact based on today's break-in techniques.

Jeff Scott
Owner – Sussex Installations
Commercial Vehicle Security Specialist
Product Designer & Manufacturer

Learn more about my work:

https://www.sussexinstallations.co.uk/jeff-scott-van-security-expert.html

https://www.sussexinstallations.co.uk















24/07/2026

Thieves Stopped Dead in Their Tracks... Did They Cut Through the Roof?

When Jamie, an electrician from Dobelec, discovered his Ford Transit Custom had been targeted by thieves, his first thought was the same question many van owners ask...

"If they couldn't get through the doors... did they just cut through the roof?"

I hear this question all the time.

So rather than simply repairing the damage, Jamie agreed to sit down with me and explain exactly what happened.

Together we investigate the break-in, look at the damage, discuss why the thieves attacked the van the way they did and talk about what other tradespeople can learn from it.

After more than 21 years fitting van security, I've learnt that there is no single magic lock. Attack methods change all the time, which is why I believe van security should always be built in multiple layers.

I'd genuinely like to know what you think...

If thieves can't get through the doors, do you think they'll simply cut through the roof?

Or is that something people worry about more than actually happens?

👇 Let me know in the comments.

Address

Finmere Road
Eastbourne
BN228QL

Telephone

+441323638999

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