The most common areas for tool theft in the UK
12 November 2024The latest figures from 16 police constabularies across the UK about reported tool thefts. Find out where the highest number of tool thefts occur, the most affected trades and the cost of such crimes for tradespeople.
Who does tool theft affect?
According to a 2022 white paper authored by On The Tools – the UK’s largest online community for the construction industry:
- Nearly four in five tradespeople (78%) had experienced tool theft
- Self-employed tradespeople are 38% more likely to be targeted compared to employed tradespeople
- Roofers are most affected by tool theft (65%) followed by electricians (58%), plumbers (55%) and carpenters (54%)
What is the cost of tool theft for tradespeople?
- 83% of people surveyed for the Tradespeople Against Tool Theft report revealed that they were not insured when their tools were stolen, leaving little choice but to take time off work after a theft to replace their stolen equipment
- An estimated of £2.8bn cost to the industry
- A third (32%) of tradespeople weren’t financially compensated at all for tool theft in 2022 with only 1% recovering their stolen tools
- Over a tenth (13%) of respondents had to pay to repair their vehicle, adding to the range of costs associated with tool theft
Where does tool theft happen?
- 39% of tradespeople reported having their tools stolen from their van whilst it was parked directly outside their home
- Tool theft from vehicles increases by 20 per cent during the darker winter months
How does tool theft occur?
Conclusion
- London, West Yorkshire and Essex have been the areas worst affected by tool theft in recent years, with cases in Cleveland and West Yorkshire on the rise
- Between 2020 and 2022, crimes involving theft of machinery or tools have declined
- The most common trades affected were roofers and electricians, with a high proportion of self-employed tradesmen being targeted
- Theft of tools from vehicles seems to have been the most common type of crime, irrespective of the vehicle’s location
- With over half of tradesman not having insurance and a third not receiving any compensation after a theft it is important to get tools insurance no matter the size of the company especially now we are into the winter months
Sources
https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9610/CBP-9610.pdf
https://www.statista.com/statistics/294729/uk-population-by-region/#:~:text=The%20population%20of%20the%20United,North%20West%20at%207.4%20million.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/877540/leading-police-forces-by-officer-numbers-in-the-uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_police_forces_of_the_United_Kingdom
https://www.installeronline.co.uk/over-half-of-tradespeople-expect-tool-theft-epidemic-to-get-worse/
https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2022/10/tool-theft-costs-tradespeople-billions/
https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2020/19102020.html
https://get.simplybusiness.co.uk/stamp-out-tool-theft/
https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2022/10/tool-theft-costs-tradespeople-billions/
https://www.onthetools.tv/home/tradespeople-against-tool-theft-whitepaper/?utm_source=OnTheTools&utm_medium=OTT_Website&utm_campaign=Tool_theft
https://online-learning-college.com/knowledge-hub/interest/crime-uk/#what-type-of-crime-is-most-common/
https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2023/26102023.html
https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/public-liability-insurance/tradesman-insurance
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2023/
https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/trade-theft-report-2022
https://www.toolstation.com/campaigns/uk-tool-theft-capitals
Related Trade Direct Insurance blogs
https://www.tradedirectinsurance.co.uk/blog/over-a-quarter-of-van-drivers-have-tools-stolen-from-their-vans/
https://www.tradedirectinsurance.co.uk/blog/keep-your-tools-safe-with-some-simple-steps/
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