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Nearly 50% of tradespeople hit by theft last year were repeat victims

Posted: Friday, January 31st, 2025

Repeat thefts are becoming a worrying trend for tradespeople, with almost one in two victims saying they had been targeted more than once over the last 12 months.

New research from commercial insurer NFU Mutual found that overall, more than seven in 10 tradespeople experienced theft in the last year – and of those, 46% were hit by criminals on multiple occasions.

Over a third suffered from theft twice, almost one in 10 (8%) were targeted three times and, alarmingly, 3% said they were stolen from more than three times in the last 12 months.

According to those surveyed, the most common theft for workers in the industry was from a site (35%), while a third had tools or equipment stolen from their vehicle, and 16% said they had a vehicle taken over the past year.

Opportunist thieves often strike vehicles and at sites in the hope equipment and tools will be left unattended. NFU Mutual’s research showed three-quarters of tradespeople said they leave tools or equipment in their vehicle, while eight in 10 admitted to leaving tools and portable equipment on sites overnight at different times.

It is an issue that is front-of-mind for sole traders across the UK, with the biggest concern among those surveyed being the cost of replacing stolen equipment (41%), with becoming a victim of theft or repeat theft next on the list (37%).

The mental health impact of tool theft is also stark. A recent survey by construction community On The Tools found that 85% of tradespeople worry daily or weekly about tool theft.

Lee Wilcox, co-founder and CEO of On The Tools, said: “Tool theft is a crisis that affects not only tradespeople’s livelihoods but also their mental health. It’s an epidemic we can no longer ignore.

“On The Tools is proud to support the upcoming Trades United van rally and to provide practical ways for people to amplify their voices. Change is long overdue, and it’s time for the government to act decisively.”

NFU Mutual is sharing the following advice to tradespeople:

  • Minimise the storage of tools and equipment in vans: a robust, lockable building is preferable. Consider intruder alarms for high-value equipment.
  • If you have to leave tools and equipment in a van, make sure it’s alarmed and park against a wall so that the doors cannot be opened easily.  
  • Don’t make it easy for thieves to guess that equipment is kept inside (a van or a building), e.g., by leaving items on display and tools around that may assist an intruder.
  • Store portable items within a robust, lockable store fixed in place.
  • Restrict and control vehicular access to the work site.
  • Consider a video security system (temporary and intruder alarm systems are available for site use).  
  • Security mark your tools and equipment (e.g. forensic, engraving or permanent marking) to deter thieves and aid recovery.
  • Don’t stockpile high value materials such as lead and copper or leave them around for longer than necessary.
  • For construction vehicles use CESAR marking, tracking and immobilisation to prevent and trace thieves.
  • Check all locks and security measures before leaving any site e.g. alarms switched on, cameras facing the right direction and security lights working.

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