UK police data show that 76,907 tool thefts were reported between January 2021 and December 2025
New research reveals that more than £25 million worth of tools has been stolen from tradespeople since 2021, with thousands of victims never seeing their equipment again.
Freedom of Information data obtained by 2580 Group from UK police forces shows that 76,907 tool thefts were reported between January 2021 and December 2025.
The estimated value of stolen tools totals £25,143,348, but only 3.2% of cases resulted in tools being recovered and/or returned to their owners.
While the issue affects tradespeople nationwide, the data shows that some areas consistently experience far higher levels of theft than others.
The following police force areas recorded the highest number of tool theft reports over the past five years.
|
1. Avon and Somerset |
27649 |
|
2. Kent |
6251 |
|
3. Essex |
5450 |
|
4. Hertfordshire |
4736 |
|
5. Cleveland |
4574 |
|
6. Leicestershire |
3888 |
|
7. Bedfordshire |
2752 |
|
8. Humberside |
2638 |
|
9. North Yorkshire |
2507 |
|
10. Northamptonshire |
2475 |
Based on police forces that provided recovery data, here are the areas where victims have the lowest chance of recovering their stolen tools.
|
1. Cambridgeshire |
0.00% |
|
2. North Wales |
2.08% |
|
3. Surrey |
2.11% |
|
4. Avon and Somerset |
2.50% |
|
5. Derbyshire |
2.77% |
|
6. North Yorkshire |
3.23% |
|
7. Northern Ireland |
3.24% |
|
8. Cleveland |
3.50% |
|
9. Northamptonshire |
3.68% |
|
10. Kent |
3.86 |
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