Tool theft fell by 18% in 2024 compared to the previous year - a significant decline after at least four years of rising numbers since we began reporting on tool theft figures back in 2020. And tradespeople's advocacy for restrictions on the sale of second-hand tools and tougher sentencing for tool thieves could be the catalyst.
However, despite tradespeople taking arms against thieves, there were still 25,525 tool theft cases reported to the police in 2024. This averaged around 70 tool thefts per day, with the total value of tools stolen estimated to be £40 million. As a result, UK police forces recorded a tool theft every 21 minutes on average last year.
Tradespeople are fighting back, but the battle against tool theft continues. We explore how you can help protect your tools and equipment and increase the chances of stolen goods finding their way back to you, should the worst happen.
Almost half of tool theft cases occur from a vehicle
According to Direct Line's research, there were 12,414 tool thefts from a vehicle in 2024, accounting for almost half (49%) of overall cases. This comes despite 97% of tradespeople taking additional precautions to secure their tools, to try and reduce the £16 million worth of business that has been collectively lost by trades as a result of tool theft.
Police forces across the length and breadth of England feature in the top ten regions with the highest levels of tool theft (per resident). The City of London Police recorded the highest levels of overall tool theft, closely followed by West Yorkshire Police in second and Hertfordshire Constabulary in third.
However, when isolated to tool thefts from a vehicle, Hertfordshire Constabulary comes out on top, followed by the Metropolitan Police Service and West Yorkshire Police.
Police forces with the highest levels of tool theft per resident in 2024
| Ranking | Tool theft overall | Tool theft from a vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | City of London Police | Hertfordshire Constabulary |
| 2. | West Yorkshire Police | Metropolitan Police Service |
| 3. | Hertfordshire Constabulary | West Yorkshire Police |
| 4. | Metropolitan Police Service | Cleveland Police |
| 5. | Bedfordshire Police | Bedfordshire Police |
| 6. | Cleveland Police | South Yorkshire Police |
| 7. | South Yorkshire Police | Essex Police |
| 8. | North Yorkshire Police | Cambridgeshire Constabulary |
| 9. | Suffolk Constabulary | Lancashire Constabulary |
| 10. | Cambridgeshire Constabulary | Northamptonshire Police |
Source: Direct Line Business insurance 2025
Tool theft rises in some areas
Despite the overall fall in reported tool theft, some areas of the country saw a rise in tool thefts compared to the previous year.
10 police forces reported a rise, with the largest increases appearing from forces including Derbyshire Constabulary (up by 36%), Dorset Police (31% increase), Heddlu Gwent Police (31% increase), and Suffolk Constabulary (18% increase).
Meanwhile, 19 police forces recorded a fall in reported tool theft, including the Metropolitan Police Service whose data showed 4,000 fewer crimes than in 2023.
Police forces that reported rising tool theft in 2024
| Police force | Percentage increase |
|---|---|
| Derbyshire Constabulary | 36% |
| Dorset Police | 31% |
| Heddlu Gwent Police | 31% |
| Suffolk Constabulary | 18% |
| City of London Police | 13% |
| South Yorkshire Police | 11% |
| North Yorkshire Police | 10% |
| Norfolk Constabulary | 9% |
| Bedfordshire Police | 6% |
| West Yorkshire Police | 6% |
Source: Direct Line Business insurance 2025
"We know tool theft has a significant impact on tradespeople. We're working hard across the Met to tackle it through targeted operations and prevention, such as tool marking events and intelligence-led activity to tackle organised crime groups selling stolen goods."
"Since April, Met officers have seized more than 2,600 suspected stolen tools worth an estimated £550,000 at two car boot sales in east London and made 10 arrests."
"Marking tools, recording serial numbers and taking photographs are just some of the ways tradespeople can ensure that, in the event of theft, we have more chance of returning their property."
Inspector Mark Connolly - Metropolitan Police
Tool theft remains a prevalent problem
Tool theft remains a growing concern among tradespeople, with 65% believing it has increased over the past year. Shockingly, four in five (79%) of tradespeople have experienced tool theft at some point in their lives.
When it comes to the general public, further research from Direct Line business insurance found that almost three in ten Brits (28%) have purchased second-hand tools, but three quarters (75%) would not feel confident identifying stolen tools being resold, highlighting the extent to which stricter regulation on the resale of tools could help reduce the frequency of these thefts by making their payoff less accessible.
Although tool theft figures are the lowest they've been since 2020, the reported decline in overall cases could be due to the prevalence of tool theft, which has led to a decline in tradespeople's reporting. It's important that tradespeople do report these crimes, so that the police can help put a stop to them.
"Tool theft remains a huge concern for tradespeople across the country. Our data shows the value of each tool theft claim is actually on the rise, even though the overall volume of claims is moving downwards. The tool theft problem in the UK is still devastating for our many hardworking tradespeople who contribute so much to our lives and the economy."
"It's important that all instances of tool theft are reported so police forces and lawmakers understand the full extent of the issue, helping them to identify offender patterns and to allocate resources to combat these crimes."
~ Product Manager, Direct Line
Protect yourself from tool theft
Many tradespeople are installing additional security, bringing tools indoors to a securely locked building, updating their insurance, and becoming members of local social media groups where people share information about stolen goods. Additional precautions include keeping up-to-date information on their tools such as photos, identifying markings, serial numbers, using tracking devices, and either engraving or using invisible ink to mark tools. These are all ways in which tradespeople are counteracting the rise in tool theft.
Here are some of the ways you can help reduce the risk of tool theft:
- Remove expensive tools from your vehicle overnight
Store your most costly and important tools in a safe and secure location until you need them. - Park your vehicle in busy, well-lit areas
Avoid parking your van in dark, remote places which would attract thieves. - Lock your vehicle at all times
Ensure your vehicle is securely locked whenever and however you leave it. - Fit an alarm and immobiliser and additional security
Maximise your vehicle's protection by enhancing the security system. - Place theft warning stickers on your vehicle's doors and windows
Warn potential thieves about the anti-theft security to deter them. - Upgrade your vehicle's locks
Consider improving the locks on your van.
Don't let tool theft become a spanner in the works
At Direct Line, we know the impact of tool theft can be devastating, and we're committed to giving tradespeople the protection they need to enable them to do what they do best.
We offer flexible insurance cover options allowing tradespeople to build a policy which covers their specific insurance needs, whether that's cover for during the day at work or tools locked in a vehicle overnight.
Find out more about our range of cover options and our Tools Essentials service or read more information on our van insurance.
If the time comes to make a claim, you can do so online at any time, or over the phone.
Sources:
https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2025/19052025.html
Data collected from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to all police forces across the UK. Of 45 police force contacted, 29 departments responded with usable data.
The average value of tools stolen was £1565.02. £1565.02 x 25,525 (overall tool theft in 2024) = £39,953,526.50, which is the estimated value of tools stolen.
The average value of lost business as a result of tool theft was £622.72. £622.72 x 25,525 (overall tool theft in 2024) = £15,894,92, which is the total value of lost business as a result of tool theft.
Data collected via a Censuswide survey with 500 UK tradespeople. The data was collected between 10.01.2025 and 15.01.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
Data was also gathered via an Opinium survey with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults. The data was collected between 07.01.2025 and 10.01.2025.