Tool theft offences across 26 UK police forces rose 16% in 2025, leaving a third of tradespeople unable to earn an income if targeted.
Tool theft across 26 UK police forces increased by 16% in 2025, with 30,848 official offences registered. The figures demonstrate that equipment is stolen from tradespeople at a rate of roughly one incident every 17 minutes. A survey of 2,000 UK adults conducted by trade insurance provider Everywhen revealed that 32% of professionals who rely on their tools to work would be entirely unable to earn an income if their kit was stolen.
The rapid rise in offences underscores the severe financial risk facing self-employed electricians, plumbers, joiners, and builders. Beyond the direct cost of replacing expensive cordless platforms and hand tools, stolen kit causes immediate site downtime, cancelled client contracts, and rising insurance premiums, threatening the operational viability of small trade businesses.
When purchasing high-value cordless kit from retailers like Screwfix, Toolstation, or B&Q, buyers must factor security and tracking technology directly into the purchase price. Investing in smart battery platforms with built-in Bluetooth tracking, such as Milwaukee ONE-KEY or DeWalt Tool Connect, allows tradespeople to remotely lock tools and disable stolen batteries. Tradespeople should also budget for physical security upgrades alongside new tool purchases, including Van Vault storage units, secondary deadlocks, and heavy-duty site boxes. Additionally, buyers must audit their trade insurance policies to confirm whether replacement coverage applies to tools left in vehicles overnight, avoiding costly gaps in protection.
Reported by Professional Builder — original article
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