UK DIY News
Statistics Show Reported Tool Theft Surged 16% in 2025
- Tool theft surges 16% despite national campaign – costing hardworking tradespeople nearly £19m in 2025
- Experts share free and low-cost security tips (from just £7) that could help save tradespeople an average of £610 per theft
A fresh warning has been issued to UK tradespeople as tool theft continues to rise, with 30,848 offences recorded in 2025, valued at almost £19 million. That equates to around 85 incidents every single day, with some areas of the country being hit significantly harder than others.
New analysis by Monster-Mesh, based on Freedom of Information requests sent to 46 police forces (26 provided the requested data), reveals that tool theft has increased by 16% year-on-year, up from just under 27,000 reported incidents in 2024 to nearly 31,000 in 2025.
The rise comes one year after the landmark Stop Tool Theft rally in London, where more than 500 trade vans gathered to call for tougher deterrents and tighter controls on the second-hand sale of tools at car boot sales and markets. Despite these efforts, the latest figures show the problem is far from under control.
Mark McLennan, Founder at Monster-Mesh said,
“Beyond the headline figure of nearly £19 million, the real financial impact is likely much higher. Not every police report includes the value of stolen tools, but where figures were available, the average loss per offence was £610.
“For tradespeople and construction firms, the damage extends well beyond the £610 price of replacing equipment. Victims often face: lost income from cancelled or delayed jobs, time spent dealing with insurers and police reports, increased insurance premiums, reputational damage with customers, and emotional and mental strain.”
UK tool theft hotspots: where is being impacted the most?
(Ranked by number of tool theft offences per 100,000 residents last year)
Metropolitan Police: 197 thefts per 100,000 people (17,727 total offences)
Total value stolen: £10,266,732 | Average per theft: £579
Cleveland Police: 123 thefts per 100,000 people (687 total offences)
Total value stolen: £118,485 | Average per theft: £859
Bedfordshire Police: 110 thefts per 100,000 people (606 total offences)
Total value stolen: unknown | Average per theft: unknown
West Yorkshire Police: 101 thefts per 100,000 people (2,369 total offences)
Total value stolen: £2,035,358 | Average per theft: £859
City of London Police: 93 thefts per 100,000 people (8 total offences)
Total value stolen: unknown | Average per theft: unknown
Northumbria Police: 71 thefts per 100,000 people (1,070 total offences)
Total value stolen: £647,520 | Average per theft: £605
Leicestershire Police: 70 thefts per 100,000 people (704 total offences)
Total value stolen: unknown | Average per theft: unknown
Hertfordshire Constabulary: 70 thefts per 100,000 people (844 total offences)
Total value stolen: unknown | Average per theft: unknown
Cumbria Constabulary: 68 thefts per 100,000 people (338 total offences, est.)
Total value stolen: unknown | Average per theft: unknown
North Yorkshire Police: 62 thefts per 100,000 people (496 total offences)
Total value stolen: £414,235 | Average per theft: £835
London Metropolitan Police topped the rankings, with the highest number of tool thefts reported (197), in proportion to the population. Despite some reports suggesting that violent crime levels are decreasing in London, theft isn’t following suit. This latest report found that the number of tool theft offences has risen by 6,506 in the capital - from 11,221 thefts in 2024, to 17,727 in 2025.
With high levels of construction work being undertaken across the city, a high cost of living, and a greater rich-poor divide, these figures are perhaps unsurprising to many. The average value of tools stolen in London is £579, a significant amount of money.
Other forces such as Cleveland Police, which covers Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees also show high rates of tool theft crime, valued at upwards of £118,485.
Bedfordshire Police and West Yorkshire Police, each have high rates of tool theft in proportion to their populations, ranking in third and fourth place. Both cities recorded tool theft crimes for one in every 1,000 residents last year (respectively at 110 and 101 offences per 100,000 residents). In West Yorkshire alone, the value of tools stolen is estimated at over £2 million.
The City of London, Northumbria, Leicestershire, Hertfordshire, Cumbria and North Yorkshire Police Forces all ranked within the top ten tool theft hotspots.
While no preventative method is completely foolproof, Mark McLennan, Founder at Monster-Mesh, shares seven practical and affordable measures that could significantly reduce the risk of tool theft:
1. Protect your vehicles for free with clever parking
Keeping your vehicle locked and equipment out of sight are basic preventative measures all tradespeople should take. It’s also worth parking strategically, considering where and how you park. For example, parking close to a wall makes it difficult to open the van doors if a criminal does manage to unlock it.
2. Mark your tools against theft with tracking devices costing £29
Marking your tools can deter thieves and make it easier to recover stolen items. There are a few ways to mark tools, including engravers, UV marking or AirTags, which are all relatively low-cost ways to protect your tools. Engraving kits cost around £10-50 or AirTags can be picked up from as little as £29.
3. Rent construction site security fencing from £7 per panel, per week
Using Hoardings or Heras Fencing provides a solid, secure barrier around your construction site, which is more difficult for criminals to breach. It can be rented from around £7-12 per panel, per week. Use Heras Fence Covers too for added privacy and security for your tools, costing around £42 for a cover. Keeping tools and equipment out of sight can remove some temptation and deter opportunistic thieves.
4. Use secure equipment storage, renting a container for £20+ per week
Properly storing your tools will help reduce the chance of theft. Use secure storage units or fixed anchor points to make it harder for thieves to target your tools, giving you peace of mind when they are not in use. For high-value tools and equipment, renting a lockable storage container costs around £20-50 per week.
5. Update your security cameras to include remote monitoring for £20 per month
Visible security cameras will act as both a deterrent and a tool for monitoring your construction site. You can now easily install remote monitoring systems where you can access cameras from your smartphone as needed. If you already have cameras, consider subscribing to a remote monitoring system that can be viewed from your smartphone. These are usually £20-50 per month, depending on your requirements.
6. Regular site checks by existing personnel is free
Make sure your valuable tools and machinery are on camera in a well-lit area of your site. Whilst daily checks should be made to ensure your construction sites' locks, alarms and lighting are all in place before leaving, regular functional reviews are useful too. This means you are less likely to get caught with security faults and gaps that leave you vulnerable.
7. Hire security guards for £15-30 per hour
For high-risk or high-value sites, you may need to consider hiring security guards or dogs. Although it is more of a hefty investment, these can be very effective, particularly for night-time security. Security guards will set you back about £15-30 per hour, or dogs will be nearer £500-1,000 per week.
For guidance on how to reduce the risk of tool theft for tradespeople and businesses, read Monster-Mesh’s 7 low-cost tips to prevent tool theft.
Source : Monster-Mesh
Image : Via Pitchpoint Communications for Monster Mesh - Airmesh Heras Covers RME Services 725
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