Tool Theft – £40 Million Worth of Tools Stolen

Direct Line Insurance Group reports £40 million worth of tools were stolen in 2024, with tool theft being reported every 21 minutes and 79% of all tradespeople being effected.

Reports suggest commercial vehicles, especially tradespersons and contractors vans are an easy target as they are easy to gain entry into in very little time, sometimes just a few seconds, even with additional aftermarket security locks fitted.

Many social media sites are filled with posts showing contractors van doors being bent open or holes cut out of the side panels on a daily basis – If they want to get in they will.

There are also reports of van vaults being stolen from inside the van by being ripped up from the floor and taken.

With van doors being bent open, side panels cut and roofs being ripped open, other tradespersons stolen battery operated power tools are likely used to gain entry.

Now is a good a time as ever to do what you can to protect your tools from tool theft, and if (or when) they are stolen, have a way to identify your tools and track them to get them back.

Trackers for Tools

There are many miniature low cost GPS / Bluetooth tool trackers available, with some being small enough to fit inside a power tool such as an SDS drill, impact driver or chop saw.

Identify your Tools with a UV Marker Pen, Engraving or DNA Markings.

Is it recommended to mark your tools so they can be identified, this could be achieved by an engraving tool, a UV marker pen, DNA forensic markings, or a combination of all three.

Tool Theft Prevention

Tool theft deterrents and van security ideas,

• Mark your tools so they can be indentifed.
• Use tool trackers such as GPS and Bluetooth tool tracker tags.
• Register your tools with the free National Tools Register.
• Internal & external vehicle CCTV.
• Vehicle alarm system.
• Vehicle GPS tracker.
• Steel cargo cage and van vault.
• Remove all valuable tools from your vehicle when it is unattended.

Unfortunately with tool theft being a growing concern, any security measures you take are only likely to slow them down rather than actually prevent it, however, tool tracking devices and marking your tools may increase the chances of the tools being recovered by the Police.

Direct Line Insurance Stats Source: https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2025/19052025.html