Two-thirds of UK Tradespeople Affected by Tool Theft

Tool theft remains a serious problem in the UK for those in skilled trades. A study by Markel Direct, trades insurance specialists, found that 66% of tradespeople have been victims of tool theft, with the average cost of a theft exceeding £1,500.

A common issue raised is the sentencing of the thieves that are responsible, with many in the construction sector feeling that the punishment isn’t severe enough for the crime, due to the significant impact tool theft has on tradespeoples’ livelihoods.  Significant changes are on the horizon with the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill, which proposes harsher penalties for the theft of tools used in trades. However, the bill’s scheduled second reading on the 29th May has been postponed, with no new date set.

Industry waiting on change despite the scale of the issue

The study, which explores the impact of tool theft on the construction sector of tool theft asked 500 tradespeople to share their experience of tool theft. Even among those not directly impacted by tool theft, 27% of respondents knew someone in their industry who had been, highlighting the true scale of the issue

The impact on victims is significant, with 32% reporting they lost 1-2 days of work because of having their tools stolen, leaving tradespeople out of pocket and having to find the money to replace the stolen goods.

While there is no single solution to this epidemic, measures such as stronger security, insurance and tool registration can offer some protection. Alongside this, the legislation being proposed in the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill aims to increase the sentencing category for criminals convicted of this type of theft from ‘harm category 3’ to ‘harm category 2’ – which would enable magistrates to impose harsher penalties on thieves. It is designed as a stronger deterrent, a move which is supported by 91% of tradespeople according to the recent stud

Amanda Martin, Labour MP for Portsmouth North, and sponsor of the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill, said: “It’s no surprise that 91% of tradespeople back this bill, tool theft is one of the biggest issues they face. This overwhelming support shows how urgent and widespread the problem is. Too often, sentencing does not reflect the true harm these thefts cause. I am campaigning to put victims at the heart of sentencing and to ensure courts treat tool theft with the seriousness it deserves, moving these cases to higher harm categories and imposing sentences, whether custodial or community, that truly deter criminals and reduce the number of victims.”

However, despite this overwhelming support of the bill, the legislation has been delayed several times, with the second reading being pushed back twice in 2025 and once in 2026. 

Tradespeople warned to stay vigilant: the most commonly stolen tools

Potential legislative change will take time, so tradespeople need to stay alert when it comes to protecting their equipment. Understanding which tools are targeted can be a key first step in reducing risk and staying one step ahead of opportunistic thieves.

The study shows that thieves aren’t just targeting niche equipment; they’re also targeting what’s commonly used by tradespeople and easy to shift. Drills top the list, with 56% of tool theft victims having this tool stolen, followed by electric screwdriver (39%).

Battery packs rank third (36%), highlighting a growing vulnerability as cordless tools become standard. Their high cost and compatibility across multiple devices make them particularly attractive to thieves. 

The inclusion of basic items such as hammers, saws and spanners suggests many thefts are indiscriminate, with entire toolkits or vans often taken in one incident.

Tools most targeted by thieves

The average cost of tools stolen in a theft was found to be £1,119. In addition to this, 32% of tradespeople reported that they lost 1-2 days of work because of a tool theft, which was the most common setback among respondents. Based on an average day rate of £238*, this amounts to an eye watering £476 in lost earnings – taking the average cost of a single instance of tool theft to £1,595. 

Rob Rees, Divisional Director at Markel Direct, said: “The study shows how prevalent and detrimental tool theft is to the trades and construction industry. We welcome new legislation, which aims to reclassify tool theft to a higher sentencing category, acting as a stronger deterrent to would-be thieves. Additionally, by taking proactive security measures and arranging tools insurance cover, tradespeople can minimise the financial and operational impact of tool theft on their business.”

New online tool exposes theft risk level for tradespeople

Tool type alone is not the only risk factor tradespeople need to be aware of. To help tradespeople better understand their own risk level, Markel Direct have created an online tool theft risk assessment which highlights weak points with security and outlines what precautions could be taken to mitigate tool theft. 
 
You can find the online tool here: https://www.markeluk.com/articles/how-safe-are-your-tools-assessment

Source : Markel Direct

Image : Sinenkiy / iStock / 1501145625

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