A striking sculpture named ‘Anguish’ has been unveiled to highlight the turmoil faced by the nation’s tradespeople following tool theft. Commissioned by home improvement retailer Wickes, the 2.4m tall sculpture was first revealed in Leeds, West Yorkshire, one of the UK’s hardest-hit regions for tool theft.

Created by renowned recycling artist Ptolemy Elrington, the artwork has been built from reclaimed power tools and spanners, with power tools dominating the structure as the most commonly stolen items. It follows research from Wickes which found that that over a third (38%) of UK tradespeople have had tools stolen, with the average value of goods totalling over £2,500 per individual, forcing the vast majority (77%) of tradesmen to replace them from their own savings.

The repercussions are not just financial. Over one in five (21%) tradespeople affected suffer from ongoing stress and anxiety, with some left unable to work (12%) and others considering leaving the industry altogether (7%).

CEO David Wood comments: “Tool theft is a devastating issue, and we hear first-hand about its real impact. The statistics speak for themselves, but this is about more than just numbers; it affects people’s livelihoods, confidence, and emotional wellbeing. That’s why it’s crucial we take action. Wickes are standing side by side with the trade to help tackle tool theft by raising awareness and marking over 260,000 tools for free in 2026 through nationwide Theft Prevention Community events in partnership with DeterTech, using specialist technology. Our partnership with CALM also ensures support is available for those affected by the emotional impact of tool theft.”

Following its launch, the ‘Anguish’ sculpture will tour the country, appearing at Wickes Theft Prevention Community Events and FixFest, the UK’s only festival for tradespeople, where Wickes is a headline sponsor and also sponsors the Tool Theft Prevention Zone. At these events, the retailer will be giving out free SmartWater tool marking kits and demonstrating how to use the forensic marking liquid. This liquid is invisible to the naked eye but glows under UV light, is extremely hard to remove, and provides a strong deterrent to thieves. The kits also include high‑visibility tamper‑resistant deterrent labels, ensuring tools are not only marked with forensic technology but also carry a bold, visible warning to ward off potential thieves.

Upcoming tour locations include:

● Wickes Wolverhampton, West Street, WV10 6HT – 3rd June, (9am-1pm)

● Wickes Northampton – 9th June, (9am-3pm)

● Wickes Rayleigh – 17th June, (9am-1pm)

● Wickes Minworth – 30th June, (9am-1pm)

● FixFest, Delapré Abbey in Northampton – 11th July

More information on the campaign and tour dates can be found at: https://www.wickes.co.uk/home-improvers-community