Will the government do anything about the epidemic of power tool theft and the resale via FB Marketplace, car boots and Gumtree? Hmmm, maybe. But something needs to happen otherwise traders will simply stop doing jobs in certain areas, or demand that tools are supplied by the public sector organisations that need the work completed. What the political class do not seem to understand is that many tools are hired for specific contracts or jobs, not bought, because of the high cost. Then the trader is liable for the loss, which can be thousands – suddenly the entire job is a financial disaster, the profit margin just vanished with the dodgy geezer in the mask on the e-bike.
It has to stop and that mean special Police units, and tough sentencing with Proceeds of Crime orders against those who have made cash by selling stolen tools on.
Here’s some news from blip for you;
New research by blip small business insurance reveals that the number of tool thefts spiked by 39% during the summer months in 2024, putting UK tradespeople at an even greater risk of financial loss and disruption to their livelihoods. The research strengthens calls for Parliament to approve the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill, a private member’s bill sponsored by Amanda Martin, the Labour Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North.
This insight comes from a series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted to UK police forces analysing monthly reports of tool theft from both commercial premises and motor vehicles. 25 police forces responded, providing a representative national snapshot of the scale and pattern of thefts affecting self-employed builders, electricians, plumbers, and other skilled tradespeople.
From May to July 2024, reported tool thefts rose by 39 percent, increasing from 666 incidents in May to 924 in July. The trend begins to reverse in September, falling by 22 percent to 724 incidents. This seasonal spike aligns with peak construction months when tradespeople are most active, working longer hours and taking on time-sensitive projects that rely on stable weather conditions.
The FOI data also highlights that tools are far more likely to be stolen from vans than from commercial premises. On average, 445 thefts from motor vehicles were reported each month compared to 302 from commercial premises, underscoring the vulnerability of mobile tradespeople who often store tools in vehicles overnight.
Amanda Martin, Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North, said: “This 39% summer surge in tool thefts is exactly why we need the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill to become law. When construction workers are at their busiest during summer months, criminals are deliberately targeting them, knowing tools will be left in vans overnight at job sites.
Our current sentencing guidelines simply don’t reflect the true harm these thefts cause. Not just the value of stolen tools, but the lost work, the impact on mental health, and the threat to livelihoods. I am campaigning to ensure courts treat tool theft with the seriousness it deserves, moving these cases to higher harm categories and imposing sentences that truly deter criminals.
With construction already having the highest suicide rate of any profession, we cannot allow this epidemic of theft to continue destroying the lives of the very people who keep Britain building.”
Gary Ross, Founder and CEO of blip Small Business Insurance, said: “Tool theft is a hidden epidemic with real-world consequences for tradespeople and the economy. Our data shows clear seasonal risk, yet policy responses remain fragmented. While there have been positive signs of increased enforcement—such as targeted car boot sale raids—these are isolated actions. Until we see a meaningful, sustained reduction in theft rates, it’s clear that more needs to be done.
By classifying tool theft as a distinct offence and supporting Amanda Martin MP’s Tool Theft (Crime and Sentencing) Bill, we can finally bring accountability to this issue. At blip, our mission is to deliver fast, fair protection—paying out claims within 24 hours so tradespeople can get back on the tools, fast.”
Anthony Martin, Owner ABA Carpentry and Stop Tool Theft campaigner said: “Having been a victim of tool theft myself, I know the devastation it causes not just financially, but emotionally too. The summer spike in thefts is no coincidence, it’s when tradespeople are busiest, working longer days, perhaps on weekends too, and often leaving tools in vans overnight at job sites. Criminals know this and take advantage. Every stolen tool is lost income, lost time, and a real setback for tradespeople trying to earn an honest living. That’s why I’m proud to campaign with blip small business insurance for tougher penalties and better support. We need meaningful action because for too many of us, tool theft is not just a statistic, it’s personal.”
Tool theft continues to devastate the livelihoods of tradespeople with over 25,525 cases of tool theft, equating to around 70 incidents per day. (Source). That same year, the loss of equipment resulted in an estimated £82 million in missed work for tradespeople. The average value of tools stolen in a single incident exceeds £2,200, yet only 1 per cent of tools are ever recovered.
The financial losses are devastating, but the emotional toll is just as severe. A recent survey found that 75 per cent of tradespeople have experienced tool theft, with over one in ten reporting that they’ve been targeted three times or more. For many, this relentless cycle of loss and replacement is unsustainable. In 2020, men accounted for 75 per cent of all suicides, with workers in construction being some of the highest risk of suicide in the country, at 3.7 times higher than the national average.
Despite the scale of the problem, most stolen tools are never recovered. Only 1 per centare returned to their owners. Confidence in law enforcement is low. 87% of tradespeople feel unsupported by police, with many citing a lack of follow-up or enforcement. Much of this stems from the fact that tool theft is not classified as a distinct crime category. Much of the problem stems from poor data classification. Tool theft is not listed as a distinct crime category in many police systems. As a result, 20 police forces were unable to fulfil blip’s FOI request, citing the prohibitive cost of extracting data from unstructured records.
blip small business insurance provides business equipment and tools cover, specifically designed for tradespeople and sole traders working on the tools. blip’s policies cover theft from vehicles, job sites, and commercial premises, and aim to pay out within 24 hours, helping get tradespeople back to work with minimal delay.
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