AUDIO NEWS: Tool theft hotspots named and data centres could heat up to 500,000 homes

London reports nearly 7,000 incidents of tool theft per 10,000 people, FMB renews call for a builder's license and data centres could heat half a million homes

London continues to be the tool theft capital of the UK.

According to figures compiled by Markel Direct, there were nearly 7 incidents of tool theft per 10,000 people in London last year.

West Yorkshire placed second on the list with over 5 cases per 10,000 people.

Equipment stored in vans continued to be an easy target for thieves, with over a third of thefts occurring while a tradesperson’s vehicle was parked on site, and 29% happening when the van was parked at home.

With just under 20% of thefts happening when tools were stored in a shed or garage, the report said that “no location” was completely safe from thieves.

---

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has renewed calls for a mandatory builder’s license after last week’s news about the ECO energy efficiency scheme.

A government report stated that 98% of homes insulated under the scheme now need to be repaired due to poor quality work.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB said “it’s not right that any Tom, Dick or Harry can call themselves a builder.”

---

London's data centres could generate enough heat to warm up to half a million homes, claims a report from Aecom.

The construction consultancy estimates that 1.6 terawatt-hours of heat could be recovered each year from the capital’s data centres.

---

To listen to the construction news please click below.