Crooks employing increasingly sophisticated methods are costing UK tradespeople millions of pounds each year as tool theft reaches what experts are calling an ‘all-time high’ across the country.
Research by Powertools2U has uncovered that tool theft is costing tradespeople around £100 million per year, with a single break-in costing the average tradesperson around £14,000 once the cost of replacements and lost-earnings are factored in.
Today, criminals are using complex methods such as electronic fob interception and a technique known as ‘peel & steal’, which has contributed to the rising number of thefts.
Worst Locations for Tool Theft
- London
- Sheffield
- Birmingham
- Leicester
- Chelmsford
- Tunbridge Wells
- Bristol
- Nottingham
- Northampton
- Reading
Somewhat unsurprisingly, London led the way as England’s tool-theft capital, though the matter is far from a localised issue.
Behind London, areas as far and wide as Sheffield, Birmingham, Tunbridge Wells and Nottingham also made the list.
A Work Van is Broken into Every 23 Minutes
Powertools2U have also uncovered that a tradesperson’s van is broken into and their tools stolen every 23 minutes across the UK, with as many as 50% of tradespeople having been a victim of a theft at least once.
Sadly, such a trend shows no sign of abating.
Research into vehicle theft across 43 police forces in England and Wales showed that most cases go unsolved, with as many as 75% of reported thefts being closed without ever finding a suspect.
Tips for Keeping Your Tools Safe
With such news in mind, tradespeople are advised to take the following precautions to protect their valuable tools.
Leave no tools inside a vehicle overnight
Tools should be taken indoors and stored in a safe, secure location.
Park in a safe location
Security experts recommend parking in well-lit areas with plenty of footfall that are in view of a CCTV camera.
Ideally, vans should be parked with side or rear doors up against a wall so that they can’t be accessed.
Invest in extra security for vehicles
Window grills and tints can serve as an effective deterrent for would-be thieves, while an internal locking system can make breaking in much more difficult.
Other suggestions include marking tools and keeping a note of serial numbers so that they can be identified if found and keeping being sure to take out tool insurance to reduce the financial burden of a theft.
