Police forces around the UK recorded a tool theft on average every 21 minutes last year, reveals a Freedom of Information data obtained by Direct Line business insurance. Over 25,525 tool thefts were reported to police last year, equating to 70 tool thefts per day, with the total value of tools stolen estimated to be £40 million.
The good news is that tool theft has fallen by 18% compared to the previous year, a significant decline after at least four years of rising numbers since Direct Line first began reporting tool theft figures in 2020. However, it is thought that here is a possibility that with the crime so prevalent many tradespeople have potentially stopped reporting it and, despite the reported decline in thefts overall, tool theft remains a growing concern among tradespeople, with 65% believing it has increased over the past year.
Tool thefts from a vehicle specifically totalled 12,414 in 2024, accounting for almost half (49%) of thefts overall. Police forces with the highest levels of tool theft recorded per resident in 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.
While most police forces reported a fall in tool theft, some areas of the country continued to experience a rise in numbers, with the largest increases appearing from forces including Derbyshire Constabulary (up by 36%), Dorset Police (31%), Heddlu Gwent Police (31%), and Suffolk Constabulary (18%).
When it comes to the general public, further research from Direct Line business insurance found that almost three in ten Brits (28%) have purchased second tools, but three quarters (75%) would not feel confident identifying stolen tools being resold, highlighting the extent to which stricter regulation on the resale of tools could help reduce the frequency of these thefts by making their payoff less accessible.
Mark Summerville, SME product manager at Direct Line business insurance, comments: “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.”
Find out more about Direct Line business insurance products by visiting https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk
