EXCLUSIVE: Campaigners are now calling for authorities to take more action to “disrupt” the criminal pipeline after shock figures revealed a van is broken into every 17 minutes
A van is broken into every 17 minutes, shock figures show. Workers are losing an average of £3,000 worth of tools as break-ins surge.
Data shows 85% of tool thefts now happen straight out of vans and the Ford Transit is the top target for thieves. And tradespeople are bracing themselves for bleak midwinter as Christmas is the worst time for break-ins.
Many of the stolen goods are being sold openly at car boot sales with the resale black market is said to be operating on an industrial scale. Campaigners are now calling for authorities to take more action to “disrupt” the criminal pipeline.
Max Bennett, from Kingsbridge Contractor Insurance, said: “That could include greater intelligence-sharing between police forces, targeted enforcement at known trading hotspots like car boot sales and stronger expectations on marketplaces and traders to verify ownership of high-value tools.
“Unfortunately, the biggest deterrent is the one that seems to be the hardest to see any progress with – harsher penalties for those caught handling stolen goods. If the risk is higher, the cash payoff will be less worth it.”
Police data reveals tool thefts surged 16% year-on-year across 46 UK forces, with over 30,848 recorded offences last year, averaging one incident every 17 minutes.
Industry figures show more than 80% of UK tradespeople have had tools stolen, with many losing months of income and dipping into personal savings to recover.
Window restorer Frankie Williams lost around £4,000 when his tools were nicked from the back of his van in 2022. And he says dozens of professionals contact him every day about break-ins and thefts through his Instagram page Stolen Tools UK.
He said: “My business stopped overnight, and my income stopped overnight too. But my bills didn’t stop. The impact was enormous, affecting my mental health, my family life, and my business reputation. Without your tools, you can’t earn a living or keep clients happy.
“That experience completely changed how seriously I take security. It isn’t just about protecting equipment; it’s about protecting your livelihood. It really opened my eyes to just how vulnerable tradespeople can be and how devastating tool theft is.”
Police in London last month arrested 42 people and seized upto £100,000 in suspected tolen goods from rogue shops.
And in January, the Met seized what it believed to be the largest stash of stolen tools ever discovered in the UK, believed to be worth up to £2 million.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “We have been carrying out targeted operations and working with partners across construction, retail and logistics to deter offenders and disrupt the resale of stolen tools.
“In the last 12 months, thefts from vehicles have fallen by nearly five per cent. But there is still more to do. The Met remains committed to driving down tool theft further and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.
“We also urge tradespeople and companies to mark and register their tools, and to report any thefts to police.”
A spokesperson from the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “Through the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership, we continue to work with industry to tackle this damaging crime, with a focus on deterring and disrupting offenders and preventing thefts from happening in the first place by exploring opportunities to make goods much harder to steal and sell on.
“Many police forces offer property marking days and we encourage businesses and individuals to keep a register of items with key details such as serial numbers.
“We also urge people to be vigilant for these items being sold second-hand. If a tool is available for sale at a much lower price than it should be, then there’s every chance this could be a disposal route for stolen goods. If you see anything suspicious then please report it to the police so we can investigate.”
EXPERT’S TOP SECURITY TIPS:
Avoid overnight van storage where possible: Do not leave high-value kits in your van overnight if you can avoid it. If you have no choice due to flat living or limited storage, ensure the van is parked against a wall or obstacle to block door access.
Audit your policy details: Verify overnight storage conditions, compulsory excess amounts, single-item claim limits, and whether physical evidence of forced entry is strictly required.
Stay guarded during load-ins: Thieves routinely trail vans to job sites to snatch unsecured tools while trades carry gear inside. Always deadlock the doors between trips, park on the customer’s driveway where visible, or use well-lit, barrier-controlled areas.
Log and mark everything: Maintain a digital inventory of tool serial numbers, keep purchase receipts, and use forensic marking liquids or UV etching so recovered gear can be traced back to you by police.