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£98 million worth of tools stolen from tradespeople
4 min read
02 May 2024
44,514 tools thefts were reported to the police in 2023 – up five per cent from 2022.
2023 saw a tool theft reported every 12 minutes.
Tools are most frequently stolen from vans, with thefts up 14 per cent in 2023.
Thefts are on the rise despite tradespeople each spending on average £626 on additional security to protect the tools of their trade.
Tradespeople lost an estimated £82 million worth of jobs last year due to tool theft.
Tools worth £98 million1 were stolen from tradespeople in 2023 according to new analysis2 by Direct Line business insurance. In total, 44,514 incidents of tool theft were reported to police forces in 2023 a five per cent increase from 2022, which equates to a tool theft reported every 12 minutes.
Last year saw 24,543 reports of tool theft from a vehicle, up 14 per cent from the previous year, accounting for over half (55 per cent) of all tool thefts in 2023. This comes even though 94 per cent of tradespeople are taking extra precautions to secure their tools, with tradespeople spending on average £626 retrofitting their vans with additional security including additional locks, drill plates, trackers and alarms. Over half (56 per cent) of tool thefts from a vehicle occur at night, with thefts most commonly occurring while the vehicle is parked overnight at the tradespersons home or in a carpark.
Tool theft has a massive financial impact on tradespeople. As well as the cost of replacing tools, 83 per cent say they lost business because of the theft and not having their tools to work. Tradespeople reported losing work worth an average £1,836 the last time their tools were stolen, meaning an estimated £82 million4 worth of jobs were lost by trades in 2023.
London’s Metropolitan Police accounted for over half (54 per cent) of all tool theft, but when the size of the local population is assessed, Cleveland police had more tool thefts per resident than London.
Tool Theft on the Rise: A Growing Concern
Alarming Statistics
Recent research by Direct Line highlights a troubling trend in tool thefts. In 2023, police recorded 44,514 incidents of tool theft, marking a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Shockingly, this equates to one tool theft being reported every 12 minutes.
The data revealed that vans remain the primary target, with
24,543 thefts reported—a 14% increase
from 2022. These van-related thefts accounted for a staggering
55% of all tool theft incidents
.
Tradespeople Taking Action, but Theft Persists
Despite the rising numbers, more than
90% of tradespeople
have implemented additional security measures to safeguard their tools. On average, they spend
£600 per vehicle
on upgrades such as advanced locks, alarms, and trackers. However, these precautions have not been enough to deter persistent thieves.
The Economic Fallout
The financial impact of tool theft is immense. The high cost of replacing stolen tools is compounded by the disruption it causes to businesses. Many tradespeople lose valuable jobs while waiting to replace their equipment, leading to an estimated £82 million in lost work in 2023 alone.
Geographic and Seasonal Trends
Over half of all tool thefts occurred in London with the Metropolitan Police accounting for 54% of the reports. Most incidents involving vehicles took place at night, often when vans were parked in car parks or outside homes.
The data also suggests that tool theft is seasonal
,with incidents spiking after the clocks go back in October. In fact, October 2023 recorded a peak of 4,517 thefts, likely due to the extended hours of darkness.
Expert Insights
Jonny McHugh, Head of Small Business Insurance at Direct Line, expressed deep concern over the issue:
“It’s alarming to see that tool theft has risen yet again. Despite tradespeople taking numerous precautions and investing in additional van security to protect their tools, brazen thieves are continuing to target them.
Tradespeople rely on their tools for their livelihoods, meaning this can have a massive financial impact if they are taken. Replacing tools is costly and takes time, and vans will often need to undergo substantial repairs following a break-in, meaning tradespeople are off the road and unable to work.
Conclusion
The continued rise in tool theft underscores the need for robust security measures and proper insurance coverage. With significant financial and operational impacts on tradespeople, this growing issue demands attention and innovative solutions to safeguard livelihoods.
£98 million worth of tools stolen from tradespeople
4 min read
02 May 2024
44,514 tools thefts were reported to the police in 2023 – up five per cent from 2022.
2023 saw a tool theft reported every 12 minutes.
Tools are most frequently stolen from vans, with thefts up 14 per cent in 2023.
Thefts are on the rise despite tradespeople each spending on average £626 on additional security to protect the tools of their trade.
Tradespeople lost an estimated £82 million worth of jobs last year due to tool theft.
Tools worth £98 million were stolen from tradespeople in 2023 according to new analysis by Direct Line business insurance. In total, 44,514 incidents of tool theft were reported to police forces in 2023 a five per cent increase from 2022, which equates to a tool theft reported every 12 minutes.
Last year saw 24,543 reports of tool theft from a vehicle, up 14 per cent from the previous year, accounting for over half (55 per cent) of all tool thefts in 2023. This comes even though 94 per cent of tradespeople are taking extra precautions to secure their tools, with tradespeople spending on average £626 retrofitting their vans with additional security including additional locks, drill plates, trackers and alarms. Over half (56 per cent) of tool thefts from a vehicle occur at night, with thefts most commonly occurring while the vehicle is parked overnight at the tradespersons home or in a carpark.
Tool theft has a massive financial impact on tradespeople. As well as the cost of replacing tools, 83 per cent say they lost business because of the theft and not having their tools to work. Tradespeople reported losing work worth an average £1,836 the last time their tools were stolen, meaning an estimated £82 million worth of jobs were lost by trades in 2023.
London’s Metropolitan Police accounted for over half (54 per cent) of all tool theft, but when the size of the local population is assessed, Cleveland police had more tool thefts per resident than London.
Tool Theft on the Rise: A Growing Concern
Alarming Statistics
Recent research by Direct Line highlights a troubling trend in tool thefts. In 2023, police recorded 44,514 incidents of tool theft, marking a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Shockingly, this equates to one tool theft being reported every 12 minutes.
The data revealed that vans remain the primary target, with 24,543 thefts reported—a 14% increase from 2022. These van-related thefts accounted for a staggering 55% of all tool theft incidents.
Tradespeople Taking Action, but Theft Persists
Despite the rising numbers, more than 90% of tradespeople have implemented additional security measures to safeguard their tools. On average, they spend £600 per vehicle on upgrades such as advanced locks, alarms, and trackers. However, these precautions have not been enough to deter persistent thieves.
The Economic Fallout
The financial impact of tool theft is immense. The high cost of replacing stolen tools is compounded by the disruption it causes to businesses. Many tradespeople lose valuable jobs while waiting to replace their equipment, leading to an estimated £82 million in lost work in 2023 alone.
Geographic and Seasonal Trends
Over half of all tool thefts occurred in London, with the Metropolitan Police accounting for 54% of the reports. Most incidents involving vehicles took place at night, often when vans were parked in car parks or outside homes.
The data also suggests that tool theft is seasonal, with incidents spiking after the clocks go back in October. In fact, October 2023 recorded a peak of 4,517 thefts, likely due to the extended hours of darkness.
Expert Insights
Jonny McHugh, Head of Small Business Insurance at Direct Line, expressed deep concern over the issue:
“It’s alarming to see that tool theft has risen yet again. Despite tradespeople taking numerous precautions and investing in additional van security to protect their tools, brazen thieves are continuing to target them.
Tradespeople rely on their tools for their livelihoods, meaning this can have a massive financial impact if they are taken. Replacing tools is costly and takes time, and vans will often need to undergo substantial repairs following a break-in, meaning tradespeople are off the road and unable to work.
The rise in these thefts means that it’s more important than ever that tradespeople take precautions to help keep their tools safe and deter thieves, as well as make sure they have the correct insurance to help deal with the consequences if a theft does occur.”
Conclusion
The continued rise in tool theft underscores the need for robust security measures and proper insurance coverage. With significant financial and operational impacts on tradespeople, this growing issue demands attention and innovative solutions to safeguard livelihoods.
Introducing the Ultimate Van-Specific Anti-Theft Smoke System
Tool theft is an ever-growing concern for tradespeople, fleet managers, and businesses, but now there's a revolutionary solution to protect tools and livelihoods. Our van-specific anti-theft smoke system is here to disrupt the market by providing a cost-effective, easy-to-install, and reliable way to deter theft and protect your investments.
Why Choose Our Smoke System?
1) Cost-Effective Protection: Avoid the high cost of replacing stolen tools and repairing vehicle damage with our affordable anti-theft solution.
2) Easy Installation: Designed to fit seamlessly into any van, ensuring maximum security with minimal hassle.
3) Reliable Deterrent: Stops thieves in their tracks with a powerful smoke discharge that obscures visibility and forces them to flee.
The Rising Need for Van Security Solutions Research from Direct Line highlights the urgent need for enhanced van security. Tool thefts reached alarming levels in 2023, with 44,514 incidents reported—a 5% increase from the previous year. That’s one tool theft reported every 12 minutes! Vans were the primary target, accounting for 55% of all thefts, with a staggering 24,543 reports.
Impact of Tool Theft on Tradespeople The consequences of tool theft are devastating:
1) Financial Loss: Replacing tools is more expensive than ever, with an average retrofit cost of £600 per vehicle for added security.
2) Lost Business: Tradespeople unable to work without their tools lost an estimated £82 million in jobs in 2023.
3) Van Damage: Break-ins often result in costly repairs, adding further financial strain.
London remains a hotspot for tool theft, with over half of all reported thefts occurring in the capital. Most thefts take place at night, particularly in car parks or outside homes, with incidents peaking after the clocks go back in October, as darker evenings provide cover for criminals.
How Our System Fills the Gap, while 90% of tradespeople have already invested in additional security measures, such as new locks, trackers, and alarms, our anti-theft smoke system goes beyond traditional solutions. It offers:
1) An immediate physical deterrent to stop theft as it happens.
2) Peace of mind knowing your tools are secure day and night.
Join the Fight Against Tool Theft Protect your tools, your van, and your livelihood with our advanced anti-theft smoke system. Don’t wait until it’s too late—take the proactive step today to secure your van and deter thieves.
Contact us now to learn more about how our smoke system can safeguard your tools and give you the ultimate protection you deserve.
Introducing the Ultimate Van-Specific Anti-Theft Smoke System
Tool theft is an ever-growing concern for tradespeople, fleet managers, and businesses, but now there's a revolutionary solution to protect tools and livelihoods. Our van-specific anti-theft smoke system is here to disrupt the market by providing a cost-effective, easy-to-install, and reliable way to deter theft and protect your investments.
Why Choose Our Smoke System?
Cost-Effective Protection: Avoid the high cost of replacing stolen tools and repairing vehicle damage with our affordable anti-theft solution. ·
Easy Installation: Designed to fit seamlessly into any van, ensuring maximum security with minimal hassle. ·
Reliable Deterrent: Stops thieves in their tracks with a powerful smoke discharge that obscures visibility and forces them to flee.
The Rising Need for Van Security
Solutions Research from Direct Line highlights the urgent need for enhanced van security. Tool thefts reached alarming levels in 2023, with 44,514 incidents reported—a 5% increase from the previous year. That’s one tool theft reported every 12 minutes! Vans were the primary target, accounting for 55% of all thefts, with a staggering 24,543 reports.
Impact of Tool Theft on Tradespeople
The consequences of tool theft are devastating:
Financial Loss: Replacing tools is more expensive than ever, with an average retrofit cost of £600 per vehicle for added security.
Lost Business: Tradespeople unable to work without their tools lost an estimated £82 million in jobs in 2023.
Van Damage: Break-ins often result in costly repairs, adding further financial strain.
London remains a hotspot for tool theft, with over half of all reported thefts occurring in the capital. Most thefts take place at night, particularly in car parks or outside homes, with incidents peaking after the clocks go back in October, as darker evenings provide cover for criminals.
How Our System Fills the Gap, while 90% of tradespeople have already invested in additional security measures, such as new locks, trackers, and alarms, our anti-theft smoke system goes beyond traditional solutions. It offers:
An immediate physical deterrent to stop theft as it happens.
Peace of mind knowing your tools are secure day and night.
Join the Fight Against Tool Theft Protect your tools, your van, and your livelihood with our advanced anti-theft smoke system. Don’t wait until it’s too late—take the proactive step today to secure your van and deter thieves.
Contact us now to learn more about how our smoke system can safeguard your tools and give you the ultimate protection you deserve.
