Van Guard Accessories is the ultimate van storage and security supplier. With more than 45 years’ experience in manufacturing, it is a proud British manufacturer and prides itself in developing high quality and innovative storage and security solutions.
As a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicle accessories including the ULTIBar, ULTIRack, Pipe Carrier and Trade Van Racking, Van Guard have tapped into their previous experience in van security and have launched the all-new ULTILock range, including their 2nd generation van Hooklock.
With van security the fastest growing sector in the van accessory marketplace due to the ever-increasing rise of van break-ins across the UK, it was imperative Van Guard delivered the ultimate security range for van owners and drivers.
Shielding
The ULTILock van lock and shielding range enables tradespeople of the UK and Europe to maximise their vehicles security and protects van owners from the growing tool theft epidemic, by giving them a vast amount of security solutions to choose from. The range comprises of Hooklocks, Deadlocks, Slamlocks, Slamhandles, Ford Replacement Locks, Handle Shields, Loom Guards, Anti-Peel Brackets and Internal and External Shielding.
Renowned for its experience and reputation for manufacturing high quality van kit, substantial research and development was undertaken to bring as much of the manufacturing process of the ULTILock range in-house, providing Van Guard with greater control of the supply chain.
Hooklock
The UltiLock range includes the 2nd generation van Hooklock, the UltiLock Hooklock. Hooklocks are the next generation of van security deadlocks. They work in the same way as straight deadlocks, but a hook style bolt is thrown and hooks into the receiving bracket, offering next level security. By hooking over in addition to throwing into, hooklocks can offer a higher level of security making it harder to force open and gain access to the vehicle.
With aftermarket hooklocks being the most popular and effective van security lock on the marketplace, it was imperative Van Guard’s 2nd generation Hooklock featured a series of innovative design and component updates, improving the strength and security of the Hooklock. The ULTILock Hooklock has been specifically designed and tested to be the strongest on the market.
The ULTILock Hooklock was the first van hooklock of its kind to be awarded Gold Standard Sold Secure status by Sold Secure, the UK’s most recognised premier security testing and certification house. Sold Secure is dedicated to reducing the risk of van crime by assessing security products through manual attack testing.
To attain the Gold Standard Sold Secure status, the ULTILock Hooklock underwent a range of specific tests including a hookbolt hammer and chisel attack, cylinder drilling, access and snap test, and a lock case drill and manipulation test. The ULTILock Hooklock successfully withstood the tests for at least five minutes and therefore attained the Gold Standard accreditation.
Alongside being the only Gold Standard Sold Secure-accredited van hooklock on the market, the ULTILock Hooklock is also Secured by Design accredited. Secured by Design is owned by the UK Police Service with the specific aim to reduce crime and increase safety or businesses and individuals. Secured by Design is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security related products in the UK, through a Police Preferred Specification.
A scheme developed 20 years ago, the product-based accreditation scheme provides a recognised standard for all security products that effectively deter and reduce crime. The Secured by Design accreditation gives additional credibility to the ULTILock Hooklock, reassuring customers that their van is secured by a product that meets a Police Preferred Specification. Van Guard is also a member of Secured by Design, demonstrating commitment to designing and manufacturing products that meet the highest quality and security standards.
Deadlock
When the ULTILock Hooklock isn’t practical, Van Guard recommend utilising a Deadlock. Similar to the ULTILock Hooklock, the ULTILock Deadlock has also been recognised by Sold Secure and has attained the Silver Standard status. Deadlocks are a common and popular additional security upgrade and work in the same way as hooklocks, but instead of throwing a hook into a receiving bracket, they throw a straight bolt. The ULTILock Deadlock is designed to be placed in the best possible location to help prevent against an attack.
For example, on certain vans, such as the Ford Transit Custom, thieves have started to attack the vans using a method commonly referred to as ‘Peel and Steal’. In this method of attack, thieves crowbar open the top of the door and apply pressure to “peel” down the top of the door to gain access to the van’s load area. Van Guard have developed Deadlocks in specific high positions that help to stop and fight against this well-known attack. To help prevent the “Peel and Steal” attack, Van Guard has also developed a range of Anti-Peel brackets in both high and low positions, for the Ford Transit and Ford Transit Custom and the Dispatch, Expert, Pro-Ace and Vivaro.
Anti-peel
Another attack method thieves commonly use is the “grip and spin” method. The Ford Transit and Ford Transit Custom’s standard manufacturer’s locks are well documented as being extremely vulnerable to attack. Their door locks are prone to being picked and the cylinder easy to turn, hence the name “grip and spin”. The “grip and spin” attack allows quick and easy access to the cab area and from here thieves can unlock the load area, allowing theft of any contents within. Van Guard offers a Ford Replacement Lock, to protect against these common methods of attack. It is a direct replacement for the manufacturer’s lock and this common and effective security upgrade is a must for all Ford Transit and Ford Transit Custom owners.
The Ford Transit, Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit Connect are also vulnerable to attacks in which thieves cut the wiring loom to gain access to the vehicle. Cutting the wiring loom can potentially unlock the van, and although a recent security upgrade to these models has stopped the doors from unlocking, the cost and inconvenience of replacing a wiring loom can be high. Van Guard offers a Loom Guard to protect the wiring looms, which is a low cost but highly effect security upgrade.
Another way to prevent attacks is by using internal and external shielding. Internal shields fit internally to protect vulnerable points in the van where thieves could drill or punch a hole in the van to allow access to either the door locking cable or door locking mechanism within the vehicles skin. By gaining access, they can then pull the cable or actuate the mechanism to unlock the doors. External shields have the same benefits of internal shields, but they also act as a visual deterrent to stop the attack happening in the first place. They can also be used as a cost-effective repair method for vans that have already suffered an attack. Shields are a very popular and effective additional security product, and Van Guard offer a wide range of internal, external and handle shields, in both stainless steel and black powder coat.
To prevent opportunistic thieves, Van Guard has developed the ULTILock Slamlock, which is ideal for multi-drop delivery drivers, drivers who have high-value goods inside and locking is essential every time, and owners who forget to lock their van and want to know it will be locked every time. Integrating with the OEM locking mechanism, when the van door shuts, the van is automatically locked without the need for any user interaction. Slamlocks work by deactivating the vans factory fitted door handle and installing an additional surface mounted lock to the door.
Slamlock
The ULTILock Slamlock acts as a visual deterrent to prevent attacks from opportunistic thieves. A Slamlock does not make a door stronger as there is no additional bolt style lock, so Van Guard recommend adding additional security products such as the UltiLock Hooklock to help make the van as secure as possible.
Similarly, to the ULTILock Slamlock, the ULTILock Slamhandle provides increased security to the often-weak factory fitted door handles that can easily be broken into and bypassed by thieves. Van Guard’s ULTILock Slamhandle is a direct stainless-steel replacement for the plastic OEM handles and include a Slamlock mechanism. Many of the ULTILock Slamhandles have additional internal shielding to further strengthen the surrounding area from attacks.
Van Guard’s ultimate security range can be conveniently purchased online, via email or over the phone, by experienced lock fitters. Their in-house design and manufacturing process allows them to have an extended cut off time of 3pm for next AM working delivery, ensuring you get the products you need in a timely manner.