How tradespeople are fighting back against rising tool theft

A group of builders have taken a stand against the thieves responsible for a rising number of tool thefts and van break-ins in the UK.

We told you before Christmas how tool thefts are on the rise, and with van break-ins becoming increasingly common, a group of tradesmen have decided enough is enough.

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Tradespeople have been warned to stop keeping tools in their van overnight, but this isn’t an option for those who have nowhere else to keep them.

Band of Builders take action

And it was for this reason that Addam Smith - who you might know for his fundraising work with Band of Builders - has decided to act.

Smith, along with raising money for his terminally ill friend Keith, has embarked on a mission to make UK tradesmen's tools safer.

He reached out to popular Facebook community Builder’s Talk Group, investigating the extent to which members had been the victim of tool theft.

Astonishingly, of the 130 people who shared their experiences, Adam found that it would take £507,450 to replace stolen tools, fix their vans, and make up for lost wages.

Rallying for change

Interestingly, it also came to light that Ford Transit MKs were the van most likely to be broken into, although this could be down to the Transit being one of the most popular business vans on the market.

Adam has since arranged a meeting with senior bosses at Ford in an attempt to combat the trend. Meanwhile, he’s been in contact with the Lincolnshire police force and is planning talks with security equipment manufacturers.

How can you combat tool theft?

With tool theft and van break-ins a growing trend, it’s important that tradespeople know how to look after their assets.

Here are some tips to keep your tools safe:

1. Firstly, consider whether you need to keep your tools in your vehicle - especially overnight, where break-ins are common.
2. When leaving expensive tools in your vehicle during the day, park in a busy area where possible.
3. Mark your tools - either visibly or with ultraviolet pen - and register them on the Immobilise register.
4. Sometimes tool theft is difficult to avoid. Tools insurance can protect you should the worst happen.

Have you been the victim of tool theft? Tell us about your experience below.