Tradespeople fight back against tool theft: Major London rally demands tougher punishment
In a show of unity and frustration, tradespeople from across the UK took to the streets in a major van…
UK police tool theft figures show longer days don’t deter thieves, suggesting tradespeople should keep their guard up whatever the season – and time of day!
The clocks go forward, the days get longer, and we’re blessed with more daylight and a splash of sunshine (sometimes). It might be tempting for tradespeople to breathe a little easier, believing that brighter evenings might mean safer vans and less places for tool thieves to hide.
But police data shows tool theft remains a persistent, year-round threat, showing little seasonal variation. The assumption that more daylight equals more security isn’t just misleading, it’s potentially costly.
I’ll be breaking down the tool theft numbers, looking at some positives and dropping some tips to keep tools safe.
Key tool theft stats in the UK
With plenty of Freedom of Information (FOI) data around, we can start to paint a picture of tool theft trends like:
- Winter months equal ‘peak season’
- Summer doesn’t equal safety
- Vehicles are stolen from more frequently
- Time of day isn’t a deterrent
Let’s dive in…
Peak ‘tool theft’ season
Met Police data on the theft of tools across 2022-2023 shines a light on peak ‘tool theft season’. It’s not surprising it falls over October and November – shorter days, less light and more opportunities for thieves. Makes sense, right?
In fact in 2022, November took top spot with 2,122 overall counts of tools stolen, 11% more than September, the 2nd highest month with 1,898.
And in 2023, October saw the most cases of tools stolen (2,433 counts), with March not far behind (2,314).
NB: The count of ‘tool thefts’ in the above Met Police data is a count of ‘property types’ (tool types).
Summer theft numbers
So yes, data does strongly suggest colder months (outside of BST) is ‘peak season’. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe to be a little slack with tool theft prevention measures when it’s sunny.
In the same data set, June was still the 3rd highest month in 2022 and 4th highest in 2023 (1,824 and 2,083 respectively).
It’s safe to say that when you’re enjoying the sun on your well-earned lunch break, make sure you still take extra precautions to protect your tools – especially when combining this with knowledge that thefts from vehicles and midday hours also take top spots in the stats…
What about tools stolen from vehicles?
One of the most significant takeaways from the data above is the proportion of tool thefts from motor vehicles compared to “dwellings”.
Another Met Police FOI on the theft of tools from vehicles, residences and building sites between 2020-2024 shows:
- The count of tools stolen from residential locations was 1,526 in 2023
- The count of tools stolen from vehicles in 2023 was 9,473
That’s over 6 times more tool theft counts from vehicles compared to residences.
More recent Gloucestershire Constabulary data from 2024 backs this up, highlighting tool thefts from motor vehicles as more common. Though this particular data set is in comparison to non-dwelling (commercial) property, West Midlands Police data still tells a similar story that vehicles are more vulnerable.
The FOI from Gloucestershire Constabulary also supports the theory that while colder months like October and November seem to be the ‘peak season’, summer months are still prone to high tool theft numbers.
Tool thieves don’t take lunch
So what about time of day? Logic may tell us your work tools would be most likely to be stolen in the evening or during darker hours. A Met Police FOI report (October 2021 to September 2022) indicates otherwise.
In fact, for the count of vehicle-related tool theft offences:
- Weekdays saw the highest number of stolen tools
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday had the highest weekday counts
- 10am-1pm saw the most counts of tool-related thefts during weekdays
So, if you’re popping off for a bite to eat, taking a quick smoke break or running to the shop, broad daylight doesn’t stop thieves from having at your tools – apparently they don’t believe in lunch breaks!
A positive outlook on the UK tool theft ‘plague’
It’s easy to get bogged down by the numbers, so I’ve got a few positives to focus on, so it’s not all doom and gloom.
The Theft of Tools of Trade Bill
The Theft of Tools of Trade Bill is making progress, albeit slowly – due for its 2nd reading last week (4th July 2025), it’s now been rescheduled for October 2025.
Even so, the work Amanda Martin, the MP tabling the Bill, has done to raise awareness of the issue is just as valuable in the meantime. Just this March (2025), Martin teamed up with Checkatrade and On The Tools to host a Parliament breakfast to bring attention to the topic and gain support for her petition.
Big-name channels featuring real stories
Many big-name brands like the BBC have been spotlighting real stories of work tools being stolen across the UK, bringing the topic to the forefront of discussions. Even ITV News ran their own ‘crimewatch-esque’ news feature on the “tool theft crime wave”.
Are tool theft rates decreasing?
It looks like it, with rates reportedly dropping last year. According to Direct Line’s FOI requests from UK police authorities, data indicates an overall decrease in 2024 compared to previous years – it fell by approximately 18% nationwide to be more precise.
While some areas are still experiencing local increases, the cross-country drop could be a positive indicator that the push for awareness and harsher sentences may be starting to have an impact.
Top tips to keep tools safe
In the fight to stop tool thieves, there are many ways tradespeople can protect their tools, making them harder to steal or at least easier to recover:
- Secure your van – make sure your van is locked up tight and parked safely
- Install security measures – install devices like CCTV, alarms and upgraded locks
- Mark your tools – use UV markers or similar to mark your tools with identifiable details
- Keep a log – log all tools (power tools, hand tools, materials) and take photos – this will help with insurance too!
- Remember the basics – keep valuables out of sight and locked up (don’t leave tools unsecured and unattended for long periods)
Looking for more theft prevention tips? Check out 10 tips to keep tools safe.
Could tool insurance help?
Prevention is always the best starting point, but no method is foolproof. To protect your livelihood, insurance can be a great safety net for tradespeople in the event of tool theft.
Ultimately it can cover the cost to repair or replace tools that are stolen or damaged – including ‘tools of trade’ like hand tools and handheld power tools.
Curious to know more about tools cover? We have a full guide to tools insurance looking at what it covers and how to choose a policy.
Tools cover with Kingsbridge
Our own Trades Insurance policy includes Good and Tools as standard, combined with Public Liability and Employers’ Liability.
Goods and Tools cover includes £2,500 of cover at no extra cost with claims paid out on tools stolen from your van overnight!
Other perks include:
- Optional add-ons like Contract Works, Hired in Plant, Owned Plant, and Professional Indemnity
- Nil excess on most professions covered
- Real support from in-house dedicated experts
- No hidden fees
Have a question? Contact us and speak to our in-house experts. If you’re ready, you can go straight to getting a quote today through our online quote and buy.
*Conditions and exclusions apply. Individual policies may vary*
