This is a story encapsulates how one ex-serviceman turned a break-in into a patented security solution for locksmiths.
When locksmiths talk about van security, the conversation usually centres around hook locks, deadlocks, and alarms. But for Graham Mundy, the turning point came from seeing firsthand how those very solutions can fail, and sometimes make matters worse.
From a single idea sparked in a driveway to a patented, Sold Secure Diamond-rated system, his journey into the trade is anything but conventional. For locksmiths and security professionals, his approach raises an important question: Are we protecting our vans in the best way possible? We interviewed Graham and this is what he told us:
From Break-In to Breakthrough
I was in the army for seven years. When I came out, I wasn’t planning on getting into security products at all. What changed everything was what happened to my mate.
He’d just started out. Got a loan, bought a van, tools, the lot. Within a week, his van was broken into. Everything gone. Insurance didn’t pay out. Then he fitted hook locks, thinking that would sort it. A week later, they broke into it again. He didn’t even have tools in there that time, but the damage to the van doors was so bad it got written off. That stuck with me, and I thought there’s got to be a better way than just locking the doors tighter.
Thinking Differently: Security from the Inside Out
I came up with the idea of putting a cage inside the van. Something that would protect the tools regardless of what happened to the outer shell. I started building it on his driveway, grinding away, making lots of noise, then his neighbour came out complaining. Then the neighbour said his van had been broken into too. That’s when I realised this wasn’t just a one-off idea. There was nothing like it online, nothing readily available. So, I built a business around it.
The “Prison Cell” Concept That Changed Van Security
The original concept was simple, like a prison cell inside a van. But over time, I developed it into something much more advanced. My security gates are designed to sit inside the van, creating a secondary barrier. Even if criminals get the doors open, they’re faced with another layer they can’t easily get through, and the key thing is, this system doesn’t rely on stopping them opening the doors. Because the reality is, criminals always try the handle first.
With traditional security like hook locks, if they force entry, they often cause serious damage. That’s why so many vans end up written off. With my system, you can actually leave the doors unlocked if you want. The gate protects everything inside. Some insurance companies still require locked doors, but from a practical point of view, preventing internal access is what really matters.
Independently Tested & Proven
I didn’t just build something and hope it worked; I put it through all the appropriate testing. The system is Sold Secure Diamond rated, which is the highest level you can achieve. It’s also approved under Secured by Design. I actually recorded the testing myself, filmed attempts to break into it, grinder attacks, everything. When customers come to me, I show them the footage on my phone. They can see exactly what it takes to try and get through it, and that transparency makes a big difference.
Real-World Results That Matter
At the end of the day, it’s not about ratings, it’s about what happens on the street. I’ve received 73 reported attempted break-ins on vans fitted with my gates, but only four have attempted to break the gates but were unsuccessful, and that tells you everything. Even those few cases, the effort and noise involved is on another level compared to standard van security. We’ve got a 100% success rate in the 5 years we’ve been going. I’ve had customers come back and say the gates have saved them thousands in tools. For locksmiths especially, that’s critical, your van is your livelihood.
Beyond Doors: Tackling New Attack Methods
Criminals aren’t just going through doors anymore; they’re cutting through roofs. Going through side panels. So, I developed full internal cage systems as well including roof bars, side bars, full enclosures. It’s about thinking like the person trying to break in. If there’s a weak point, they’ll find it, so my system has to cover everything.
Built to Last & Built to Move
One of the biggest advantages of my system is that it’s not tied to one van. Hook locks and traditional upgrades are fixed. When the van goes, the investment is gone. My gates can be removed and transferred into your next van, so you buy it once and you’ve got it for life. For tradespeople, that’s a massive benefit.
Designed with Locksmiths in Mind
A lot of my customers are locksmiths. They understand security better than anyone, so they can see the logic straight away. Unfortunately, a lot have experienced firsthand the downside of traditional security methods: thousand lost in tools and stock, damaged doors, insurance write-offs, repeat break-ins.
I offer two main types of gate setups, depending on the van and requirements, plus optional extras like anti-cutting materials built into the structure. Everything is tailored and no two installs are exactly the same.
On-Site Installation & Practicality
I do all installations on-site and depending on the setup, it takes anywhere from three to seven hours. That means minimal downtime for the customer. I’m fitting around five systems a week at the moment, and it’s a full-time operation. I’ve got one lad working with me now, teaching him the ropes and building the business steadily.
Recognition & Trust
Winning Most Trusted Van Security Provider 2024 was a big moment. To be honest, I thought it was a scam at first. Turns out, they’d been vetting me without me even knowing. One of the judges rang me pretending to be a customer, asking loads of questions in different ways, getting me to send videos. It showed me that doing things properly gets noticed.
A Different Approach to Van Security
What makes this business different is simple – it challenges the standard way of thinking. Instead of trying to stop access completely, it accepts that entry might happen, and focuses on protecting what actually matters: tools, equipment and livelihoods.
For locksmiths especially, it’s an investment worth considering, because the reality is, stronger locks don’t always mean better outcomes, and sometimes, they just mean more damage.
Advice to the Trade
If you’ve been affected by van crime, or you’re worried about it, don’t just rely on the same solutions everyone else is using. Think about layered security and what happens after the van doors are opened – that’s where the real protection needs to be.
07398 387991
mundyvs19@gmail.com
www.mundyvansecurity.co.uk
More info
Mundy Van Security is based in Leamington Spa and specialises in patented internal van security gate systems designed to protect tools and equipment from theft.
Founded by Graham Mundy, the business offers bespoke, on-site installations tailored to individual vans, with systems tested to Sold Secure Diamond standards and approved by Secured by Design.
With prices typically ranging from £1,200 to £1,800 + VAT, the systems are designed to be transferable between vehicles, offering a long-term security solution for tradespeople and locksmiths alike.