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What Is The Theft Of Tools Bill?
What is the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill? We have an expert explanation of the newly proposed tool theft legislation alongside suggested steps...
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Where In The UK Are You Most Likely To Have Your Tools Nicked?
Over 17,000 tools were stolen across England in 2024. Police forces across England have shared tool theft data in a Freedom of Information request. Where is the dodgiest part of the nation?
The results were analysed by van insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk
The responses reveal 8,694 tools were reported stolen in 2024, with an additional 8,670 stolen from vehicles specifically.
The FOI request was issued to better understand regional trends and identify where tool theft is on the rise, especially as reports from tradespeople and van drivers suggested the problem is getting worse in certain areas.
The data highlights areas that have experienced higher numbers of tool thefts in 2024 versus the previous year.
South Yorkshire experienced a 17% rise in tool thefts from 2023 to 2024 and North Yorkshire experienced an increase of over 9%.
There are certain theft hotspots where van drivers and tradespeople should be on guard, including the London area which reported 10,486 tool thefts in 2024. Other particularly concerning areas are South Yorkshire, with 1,446 reported thefts and Essex, with 901 incidents for the same period.
Insurance costs more
The average cost of van insurance across the UK has risen by nearly 5% over the past year, with the volume of theft across the country a contributing factor. Quotezone says it is young van drivers (aged 17-24) in particular that are being hit the hardest by soaring premiums, as they are paying up to 278% more to insure their vans and tools compared to older age groups. Their average policy now exceeds £2,000 - nearly four times the £520 paid by drivers aged 45-65.
Experts at Quotezone are urging all tradespeople and van drivers to carefully review their insurance policies and make sure all details are accurate and any extras needed are added, such as tool cover. Failing to do these simple checks could leave van drivers exposed if they become victims of theft.
Quotezone CEO Greg Wilson says: “Tool theft is having a serious impact on tradespeople across the country. It’s an issue that can’t be ignored. Tradespeople are not only being targeted by criminals but are also feeling the financial strain through higher insurance costs. Our data shows that younger van drivers and tradespeople are being hit the hardest, paying nearly four times more than those aged 45 to 65.
“That’s why we’re sharing practical ways for tradespeople and van drivers to help deter criminals and protect their van and their tools.”
- Enhanced security measures on vehicles
- Installing alarms or enhanced van locks (e.g. double deadlocks, slam locks or lock protection plates) can help to deter thieves. Consider installing dashcams or interior cameras in the van itself and ensuring that the area the van is parked in is well-lit and secured area where possible.
- Remove tools from vehicles overnight as 41% of tool theft occurs from vans that are parked at home – yet only 2% of tool theft occurs inside the home itself. Whilst it may seem like an inconvenience, parked vans are a target for tool thieves and taking your tools out of your vehicle at the end of the day will significantly reduce the risk of them being stolen.
- Invest in video security if you park at home
- Installing video doorbells and CCTV at home not only acts as a visible deterrent to would-be thieves, it can also act as evidence should the worst happen. With the introduction of battery powered devices in recent year, it is a relatively low-cost and straightforward way to put off tool thieves.
- Tool marking, registration and tracking
- can make tools unattractive to criminals and their buyers. For larger, expensive equipment you could consider installing discreet trackers and for valuable hand tools, bluetooth or RFID tags linked to a smartphone App could come in useful. Register tools with Immobilise, which is a free online registration service that allows the public to record ownership details of their valued possessions. This means that theft alerts are immediately visible on police system and if your registered items are recovered by police, they can return them with ease.
- By arranging an appropriate level of tools insurance, you can cover the cost of replacing your equipment if it is stolen. It is worth checking that your policy can provide cover on a 24-hour basis should you need it and choosing an insurer with a reputable claims team that settle claims quickly to minimise disruption to your business.
Picture with thanks to Draper Tools: Over 17,000 tools were stolen across England in 2024.
www.quotezone.co.uk/van-insurance/guides/how-much-is-van-insurance
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
10th July 2025