Vehicle recovery firm Tracker played a key role in helping police locate and return a stolen van full of tools in less than an hour.

The van was taken while an engineer was out on a job, complete with valuable tools and equipment. Mark Keel, of KD Doors, is a Tracker Fleet customer and also has Tracker SVR units fitted to all his vehicles for added security; the power of both technologies found the van within less than an hour.

Keel said: “One of my engineers called me in the afternoon to let me know his van had just been stolen. I was obviously very concerned.  Not only was the van itself valuable, but the tools and equipment inside were equally valuable.  The loss of both would have been a major hit on our business.

“I called 999 and gave them details of the Tracker SVR unit and 50 minutes later the vehicle was located and recovered. The thieves had apparently left it there to check if it had a tracking unit on it, and so the van was recovered with all my equipment inside. After the initial shock it was a real relief to know I had a Tracker on my vehicle, ensuring that it could be located swiftly with everything safe inside.”

Tracker’s range of SVR products work like electronic homing devices.  A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. Tracker’s devices work no matter where the vehicle or equipment is hidden, even if taken abroad.

Stephen Doran, managing director of Tracker added: “A stolen vehicle can represent a major loss for a business, as it’s not just the vehicle that’s of value. This case highlights how the loss of a van and valuable tools and equipment is a security concern for all businesses. Because Tracker’s SVR system is operated by all UK police forces, it provides support to   officers locating stolen vehicles."