AUDIO NEWS: Tool theft jumps by 16% in 2025 and nearly 50% of drivers admit road rage

Tool theft jumps by 16% in 2025, house builders are warned about sharing information with competition and 47% of drives admit to road rage incidents

Almost £19 million worth of tools were stolen in 2025 — that’s according to an analysis of crime figures by Monster Mesh.

In total there were nearly 31,000 tool theft incidents reported, an increase of 16% year-on-year.

London was the country’s tool theft capital with nearly 18,000 cases of tool theft reported accounting for over £10m worth of tools.

However, the real scale of tool theft is likely to be higher than the report suggests.

Of the 46 police forces that were contacted for crime data, only 26 responded.

---

Housebuilders have been warned to be careful about what information they share with their competition, by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Last year the government’s competition watchdog wrapped up a year-long investigation into the country’s seven biggest housebuilders for anti-competitive behaviour.

Speaking with Housing Today, the CMA executive director Juliette Enser urged builders to follow guidance from the Home Builders Federation about the exchange of information under UK competition law.

---

Nearly 50% of UK drivers admit to experiencing road rage, claims research from OOONO.

While a third of drivers said feelings of rage occurred only occasionally, 15% admitted it happens often.

Road rage is typically attributed to traffic, but the root causes tend to be work or money related stress, or a lack of sleep.

---

To listen to the construction news please click below