Everyone needs the right tools to do their job properly, especially skilled tradespeople who rely on expensive, precision equipment to carry out daily tasks.
Unfortunately, it is the value of these tools and equipment that makes them so appealing to thieves who break into cars, vans and premises to steal them – often causing thousands of pounds worth of damage in the process.
It is not only the expense and inconvenience of trying to replace tools that affects tradespeople and fleets – it is the fact that they are unable to work without them, which means jobs are delayed or can even be lost because of it.
Targeting tools
The scale of the problem has been highlighted by Fleet Point, with more than 105,000 tool thefts reported to police across the UK since 2020, research by builders’ merchant Travis Perkins found.
It noted: “Cases remain consistently high year on year, with the worst year being 2020 when more than 20,000 incidents were recorded. In 2023, police forces logged 19,666 cases, while in 2024 there were 19,110.”
It found that West Yorkshire Police recorded the highest total since 2020, with more than 16,600 incidents, followed by Greater Manchester Police with 13,041. Kent, South Yorkshire, and South Wales also rank among the worst affected, each reporting thousands of cases.
Carine Jessamine, group marketing and digital director at Travis Perkins, told Fleet Point: “Tool theft isn’t just about the cost of replacement. For tradespeople, it means missed jobs, lost income, and huge stress. That’s why it’s vital to raise awareness of the scale of the problem and encourage everyone to take extra steps to protect their tools.
“Remove the temptation of tools being stolen by always keeping them locked away securely and out of sight whenever they are not being used, for instance.
“Thieves will often be deterred from committing a crime in places where there are CCTV surveillance cameras active too. So, take the time to install these security systems around your business premises or property and then park all work vehicles in a well-lit area which has these cameras facing them.”
Protection
As well as keeping tools and materials secure, it is important to have the right cover in place.
Fleet insurance broker Patons Insurance has recently added Admiral Business, which offers tool cover, to its panel of insurers.
For fleets, tool cover is typically a separate, standalone policy that can be purchased alongside standard fleet insurance cover.
A popular feature of Admiral’s tool cover is that it includes thefts which take place overnight when tools are secured in a locked building or vehicle. Some policies exclude overnight thefts, which is often when tools are more likely to be stolen.
Admiral’s tools and materials cover includes tools and equipment up to £20,000 and materials up to £20,000, as well as cover in transit, which provides protection while tools are being transported.
Thieves don’t care about the disruption they cause by stealing high-value tools and equipment. Like anything else that is valuable, the best chance of protecting it is making sure it is securely locked away, and you have the right insurance in place in case the worst does happen.
