A roofer from Kent, Dennis Richardson, is advocating for stricter punishments for thieves after he had £3,000 worth of tools swiped in the brief moment it took him to grab a coffee.
Richardson, who hails from Maidstone, shared, “We were out of view for just a few minutes while at a coffee shop. I have a family to support, and unexpected expenses like losing £3,000 can be incredibly challenging.”
The government has pledged to collaborate with law enforcement to find effective strategies to combat tool theft, seek justice for victims, and impose penalties on offenders.
A proposed legislative bill, introduced by a Hampshire MP, is currently being debated in Parliament and aims to enforce more severe sentencing for those convicted of stealing tools.
Mr. Richardson, who operates throughout the South East and whose van was broken into in Dulwich, south-east London, remarked, “I suspect they were following me down the street. Every single power tool was taken.”
He also expressed his reluctance to work in certain areas of London now, stating, “This has limited the jobs I’m willing to accept.”
On Monday, he participated in a demonstration in Parliament Square where protestors called for increased enforcement.
Another rally attendee, Sussex plumber Paul Saunderson-Barker, conveyed his devastation after his van was vandalized. “They made off with power tools and a thermal imaging camera, totaling over £6,000 in stolen equipment.”
He noted the supportive response from fellow local tradesmen: “My community has rallied around to assist me.”
Research conducted by an insurance firm indicates that tool theft amounts to tens of millions of pounds annually. In 2023, reports revealed that roughly half of all tool theft incidents reported to law enforcement involved items stolen from vehicles, particularly vans, which are frequently left in disarray after being targeted.
Builder Stephen Baker estimated a loss of around £15,000 in tools when his van was broken into last year. “It took just 22 seconds for them to break in and four and a half minutes to clear it out,” he recounted.
After finding himself unable to work and subsequently losing his business, Mr. Baker contemplated suicide. He reflected on the devastating impact of the theft: “In a matter of minutes, everything I had worked for was taken. It’s not just about the tools; it’s about your career and your ability to provide for your family. It’s a terrible feeling, leaving me feeling worthless.”
Beyond individual tradespeople, organizations are also falling victim to these crimes. A charity workshop in Chichester, West Sussex, had over £20,000 worth of power tools stolen just before Christmas.
Sue Livett, managing director of the Aldingbourne Trust, which helps adults with learning disabilities, lamented, “These were high-quality tools, essential to our work.”
While the charity has increased security measures after the incident, Livett acknowledged that the long-term repercussions would be more challenging to address: “This has affected trust and will limit our activities going forward.”
On Monday, tradespeople from across the UK convened in London to call for legislative reforms aimed at preventing tool theft. The campaign group Trades United, which organized the rally, is advocating for longer sentences for offenders and restrictions on the sale of second-hand power tools at discounted prices.
Shoaib Awan, a gas fitter from Romford, east London, and founder of Trades United, described tool theft as a widespread “epidemic that devastates businesses—resulting in lost work and income.” After experiencing the theft of £8,500 worth of tools from his van, Awan emphasized, “Things must change. We need effective penalties and enforcement.”
Trades United is also urging stricter regulations concerning the sale of tools at flea markets and car boot sales.
In Maidstone, the Kent Police headquarters currently houses nearly 4,000 stolen tools, valued at approximately £1 million, in two shipping containers. Authorities report that they are unable to identify the rightful owners of a significant portion of these items and are advocating for mandatory registration of power tool serial numbers at the time of purchase.
The Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill, introduced by Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin, seeks to enact stiffer penalties for tool theft, proposing to include such crimes in the list of actions deemed to cause “significant additional harm” to victims. The bill aims to better acknowledge the full financial impact of tool theft, considering factors such as vehicle repairs and lost income.
“When you factor in the cost of lost work, damage to reputation, and repairs in addition to the value of the stolen tools, the total impact can greatly surpass the worth of the tools alone,” the MP stated.
The bill is slated for a second reading in April.
