Although the total is smaller compared to car thefts across the UK, which had a 5 per cent increase and amounted to 64,087, it seems drivers just can’t get away from criminals targeting their vehicles.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 313 CDI was the van targeted the most in these crimes, 938 vans were stolen between January and December last year.

This was 42 per cent higher than the van ranked in second place which is another Mercedes model, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 314 CDI, which was targeted 660 times.

Rounding off the top three most stolen was the Ford Transit 350, with 601 reported as stolen last year according to the DVLA.

Top 15 most stolen vans in the UK

Rank             Van                                                                 Thefts

1. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 313 CDI                            938
2. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 314 CDI                            660
3. Ford Transit 350                                                          601
4. Ford Transit Custom 290 Eco-Tech                          344
5. Ford Transit 125 T350 RWD                                      264
6. Ford Transit Custom 270 Eco-Tech                          251
7. Ford Transit 100 T280 FWD                                      230
8. Ford Transit 115 T350l RWD                                     200
9. Ford Transit 100 T260 FWD                                      177
10. Ford Transit 85 T280s FWD                                       170
11. Ford Transit 350 Leader Ecoblue                             160
12. Ford Transit 85 T260m FWD                                     152
13. Peugeot Boxer 335 Pro l3h2 Blue HDI                    146
14. Ford Transit Custom 290 Trend e-TEC                     126
15. Ford Transit 85 T280m FWD                                     115

When analysing the data, March had the most van thefts throughout the year, with 1,262 occurring during the month. Up 8 per cent on the next highest month, which is January with 1,165.

The darker nights could cause more criminal activity, March is the last month before the lighter nights appear as it’s the month of daylight saving.

March is also when new car registrations are released, so this too could impact the figures.