Threat of tool theft grows for tradespeople – how to protect yourself

Tool theft has been described as an “economic assault” on the UK’s tradespeople. 

The Express has reported that more than 25,500 tool thefts were reported across the UK in 2024, which equates to one theft every 21 minutes. And the stolen equipment is just the start. 

For self-employed traders and small firms especially, the consequences of tool theft include cancelled jobs, downtime, disrupted cash flow, and, of course, the cost of replacement tools, totalling an estimated £56m. So how can tradespeople protect themselves against this worrying trend?

Why tradespeople are being targeted

The data suggests theft is becoming more organised and targeted. Nearly half of reported incidents are van-related, making vehicles the primary point of vulnerability. 

According to The Express, thieves are increasingly tracking routes, identifying poorly lit parking areas, and striking when vans are fully loaded, particularly during the darker months, to avoid being spotted.

Tools are an increasingly popular target for thieves due to how easily they can be sold on. Online marketplaces, informal resale groups, and car boot sales offer thieves a platform to quickly convert stolen equipment into cash. 

This means tool theft is not simply opportunistic, but part of a wider resale ecosystem that, unfortunately, makes targets of hardworking electricians, plumbers, and painters and decorators.

Practical steps businesses can take—beyond insurance

While insurance is an important safety net, it doesn’t protect against the added disruption of lost earnings. 

In response, many tradespeople are opting for layered deterrence measures rather than relying on being reimbursed by insurance providers. 

You can put off thieves by improving van security with visible deterrents such as dash cams and alarm systems, parking strategies that reduce exposure overnight, asset trackers affixed to tools, and tool marking or forensic ID systems that make resale harder. 

It may also help to unload vans overnight or rotate storage locations to make working patterns less predictable for organised theft operations.

Keeping clear documentation is also important, including detailed inventories, serial numbers, and photographic records of tools, as this can speed up police reports and insurance claims while also making resale harder if tools are identifiable or marked as stolen.

What this means for UK small businesses

For tradespeople, tool theft is no longer an occasional inconvenience but a recurring reality.

With average losses now exceeding £2,000 per incident once downtime is accounted for (£1,565 in equipment and a further £623 in lost hours), proactive prevention is better than reactionary responses. 

Treating tools and vehicles as critical business infrastructure and planning accordingly to deter thieves in the first place can help limit disruption to your livelihood.