Police forces around the UK recorded a tool theft on average every 21 minutes last year, according to new data.
The Freedom of Information data, obtained by Direct Line business insurance, revealed that over 25,525 tool thefts were reported to police last year. This equates to 70 tool thefts per day, with the total value of tools stolen estimated to be £40m.
Over the past year, tradespeople have taken a stand by advocating for restrictions on the sale of second-hand tools and tougher sentencing for tool thieves. A statement said their efforts may have been the catalyst for tool theft falling by 18% in 2024. Direct Line noted that this is a significant decline after at least four years of rising numbers since the company first began reporting tool theft figures in 2020.
Tool thefts from a vehicle totalled 12,414 in 2024, which accounted for 49% of thefts overall. This comes despite 97% of tradespeople taking additional precautions to secure their tools, it noted. In efforts to reduce the £16m worth of business that has been collectively lost by trades as a result of tool theft in 2024.
Accounting for population, police forces with the highest levels of tool theft recorded per resident in 2024 included the City of London Police, West Yorkshire Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary. But when isolated to tool thefts from a vehicle, Hertfordshire Constabulary comes out on top, followed by the Metropolitan Police Service and West Yorkshire Police.
Inspector Mark Connolly, from the Met Police neighbourhood policing team, said: “We know tool theft has a significant impact on tradespeople. We’re working hard across the Met to tackle it through targeted operations and prevention, such as tool marking events and intelligence-led activity to tackle organised crime groups selling stolen goods.
“Since April, Met officers have seized more than 2,600 suspected stolen tools worth an estimated £550,000 at two car boot sales in east London and made 10 arrests.
“Marking tools, recording serial numbers and taking photographs are just some of the ways tradespeople can ensure that, in the event of theft, we have more chance of returning their property.”
Mark Summerville, SME product manager at Direct Line business insurance, added: “It’s important that all instances of tool theft are reported so police forces and lawmakers understand the full extent of the issue helping them to identify offender patterns and to allocate resources to combat these crimes. Tool theft remains a huge concern for tradespeople across the country.
“Our data shows the value of each tool theft claim is actually on the rise, even though the overall volume of claims is moving downwards. The tool theft problem in the UK is still devastating for our many hardworking tradespeople who contribute so much to our lives and the economy.
“We encourage tradespeople to take proactive measures to secure their tools, such as parking in a well-lit, secure area, installing additional locks and external alarm systems on vans. It’s also important to use forensic marking on tools, as it allows stolen items to be traced back to their owners.
“Without identifiable markings, police often struggle to link recovered tools to victims, making it difficult to press charges against the thief. Tradespeople should also ensure they have adequate insurance in place to help them get back to work quickly should they become a victim of tool theft.”