New data has uncovered a huge rise in the number of tools being stolen from vehicles, with a 25 percent increase seen in London last year.
Between January 2021 and October 2022, 34,712 tool thefts were reported in the capital, with items taken from vehicles accounting for a third of these.
Analysis of Metropolitan Police figures, undertaken by hire specialists Herts Tools, discovered that tradespeople are 10 times more likely to experience tool theft from a vehicle than from a building site.
More than just a financial hit
High-value items such as power tools were the most common targets, followed by regular tools.
Builders are the trade most likely to be affected by tool theft, being five times more likely to have items stolen than electricians. Engineers, plumbers and gardeners are also high on the list of occupations at risk.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “With eight in 10 builders reporting they have had tools stolen before, tool theft is a serious issue for Britain’s tradespeople.
“It’s a shame that over a 40-year working life, tradespeople will typically lose £10,000 and six working days to tool theft. Aside from the detrimental financial impact, tool theft causes mental health issues and stress for builders.”
How to prevent tool theft from vans
Stefano Lobban, director at Herts Tools, added: “It’s disappointing to see that the tool theft epidemic is getting worse in London, particularly from vehicles that now often have theft deterrents in place.
“It’s not surprising to see that high-price items such as powered hand tools are still the most sought-after by thieves. Amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the trade for second-hand (and potentially stolen) tools is booming, tempting more people into stealing tools. We’re urging those across all trades to double-check they have theft security measures in place, to avoid falling victim to crime.”
Tips for preventing tools being stolen from your van include:
- Don’t store tools in your van overnight
- Get a tool safe if you have to leave any tools in your van
- Always lock your van’s doors during the day, to keep opportunistic thieves out
- Park in a busy area covered by CCTV
- Fit an alarm to your van
- Mark tools with your name and postcode
- Use security tags or chips to deter thieves and help recovery if something is stolen
- Apply brightly coloured paint to make them more identifiable and less attractive to thieves
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It would make a lot of difference if auction sites were legally obliged to include serial numbers in descriptions of all tools they are selling.