A Growing Problem for Tradespeople
For tradespeople across the UK, tools are more than just equipment – they are essential to earning a living. Without them, work grinds to a halt, projects are delayed, and income is lost. Unfortunately, tool theft is becoming an increasing problem, with thieves targeting vans, garages, and worksites to steal valuable tools.
A recent BBC report revealed that tool theft is rising sharply, with many cases going unsolved. Once stolen, tools are often resold online, making it difficult for victims to recover their belongings. Some tradespeople have had their vans broken into multiple times, costing them thousands of pounds and causing serious disruption to their business.
With thieves becoming more organised and tool resale remaining largely unregulated, it’s more important than ever to take precautions. In this guide, we’ll explore why tool theft is on the rise, the real impact on tradespeople, and how you can protect your tools from being stolen.
The Scale of the Problem
Tool theft is happening across the country, but some areas are being hit harder than others. According to recent crime reports:
- Tool theft from vehicles has increased by over 50% in some areas over the past five years.
- London, Manchester, and Birmingham are among the worst-affected cities.
- Vans are a common target, with many criminals using lock-picking tools or power tools to break in.
- Stolen tools often appear on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and other second-hand selling sites within hours of being taken.
Many tradespeople feel frustrated and unsupported, as the police often struggle to investigate these crimes due to limited resources. This has led to growing calls for tougher penalties for offenders and stricter regulations on selling second-hand tools online.
Why Are Thieves Targeting Tradespeople?
There are a few key reasons why tool theft is becoming more common:
1. High Resale Value
Professional tools can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, making them highly valuable to thieves. Many stolen tools are quickly sold online or at markets, with buyers unaware they are purchasing stolen goods.
2. Easy to Sell
There are currently no strict regulations on selling second-hand tools online. Thieves can list stolen tools on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Gumtree with little risk of being caught.
3. Lack of Security Measures
Many tradespeople store tools in vans overnight, often parked on streets or driveways. Standard van locks can be picked or forced open in less than a minute, making them an easy target.
4. Low Risk for Criminals
Even when thieves are caught, the penalties are often light, meaning the risk is low compared to the potential profit. Many cases go unsolved, leaving victims to replace their stolen tools out of pocket.
The True Cost of Tool Theft
For tradespeople, tool theft is more than just an inconvenience – it can be devastating. The impact includes:
1. Financial Loss
Replacing stolen tools can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, and for small business owners, this is a major setback. Some tradespeople have had to take out loans just to replace their stolen equipment.
2. Loss of Work and Income
Without tools, tradespeople can’t work. This leads to cancelled jobs, delayed projects, and unhappy customers. Some victims have had to turn down contracts because they didn’t have the right equipment to complete the work.
3. Stress and Frustration
Dealing with theft is mentally draining, especially when it happens repeatedly. Reporting the crime, filing insurance claims, and replacing tools all take time and energy away from running a business.
4. Damage to Reputation
If tool theft prevents a tradesperson from completing a job on time, it can harm their reputation and customer trust. This can lead to lost future work and negative reviews.
How Tradespeople Can Protect Their Tools
Although tool theft is a growing problem, there are several practical steps tradespeople can take to reduce the risk:
1. Secure Your Van
- Upgrade your locks – Standard van locks can be easily broken. Investing in deadlocks or slam locks makes it harder for thieves to gain access.
- Install a van vault – A lockable toolbox inside your van adds another layer of security.
- Park strategically – If possible, park your van against a wall or another vehicle to block access to doors.
- Use a GPS tracker – Some tradespeople fit GPS trackers inside toolboxes so stolen tools can be tracked if taken.
2. Mark and Register Your Tools
- Engrave your tools – Marking tools with your name or business logo makes them harder to sell.
- Use UV pens – Invisible UV markings can help police identify stolen tools if recovered.
- Register with a database – Websites like Immobilise allow you to record serial numbers, increasing the chances of recovery.
3. Store Tools Safely Overnight
- Avoid leaving tools in your van overnight – Bring them inside or use a locked garage.
- Use CCTV and security lights – If you store tools in a garage or lockup, cameras and motion-activated lighting can deter thieves.
4. Get the Right Insurance
Having the right insurance is crucial in case the worst happens. Here’s what to check:
- Van insurance doesn’t always cover tools – Check your policy and consider adding tool cover.
- Specialist tool insurance – Some insurers like Admiral offer policies designed for tradespeople.
- Read the small print – Some policies require certain security measures (like specific locks) to be in place for a claim to be valid.
5. Report and Raise Awareness
- Report thefts to the police – Even if recovery is unlikely, reporting builds a bigger picture of the issue.
- Check online marketplaces – If your tools are stolen, they may be listed for sale online.
- Warn others – Sharing theft incidents with fellow tradespeople can help prevent further crimes.
What Needs to Change?
Tradespeople across the UK are calling for stronger action to tackle tool theft. Some of the key demands include:
- Stricter regulations on second-hand sales – Making it harder for thieves to sell stolen tools online.
- Greater police enforcement – More resources dedicated to catching criminals.
- Harsher penalties for offenders – Tougher sentencing to deter repeat offenders.
Until these changes happen, it’s up to individual tradespeople to take as many precautions as possible.
Protecting Your Tools and Livelihood
Tool theft is a growing issue, but by taking the right steps, you can reduce the risk and protect your livelihood.
✅ Secure your van with extra locks and storage
✅ Mark and register your tools to make them harder to resell
✅ Store tools safely overnight instead of leaving them in a van
✅ Invest in tool insurance to protect against losses
✅ Report thefts and raise awareness
At Rated People, we understand how important your tools are. By taking proactive steps and supporting each other, we can help protect the trades industry from criminals.
📢 Have you been affected by tool theft? Share your experiences in the comments or on social media to help spread awareness! TradesUnited is an action group to support tradespeople affected by tool theft.
