By Rory Macnamara
Tool theft every 15 minutes!
A selection of some tools. Image credit All photos © Rory Macnamara – Plumbing Africa, courtesy of Rothenberger
New analysis of police force data from Direct Line business insurance reveals that tools were stolen every 15 minutes in 2022 across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In 2022, there were 35,098 incidents of tool theft reported to police forces, a 13% increase from 2021.
In 2022, 19,147 cases of tool theft specifically from a vehicle were reported. This makes up 55% of all tool theft cases in the year. A tool theft occurred from a vehicle every 27 minutes in 2022, which equates to a 10% increase in incidents from the previous year.
Additional research from Direct Line business insurance found that the average value of tradespeople’s tools that had been taken from their vehicle was GBP3 425. This equates to a combined loss of GBP66m, from the 19 147 cases of tool theft from vehicles in 2022.
Thefts reported to London’s Metropolitan Police represented 58% of all cases and London also came out on top when the population density of the jurisdictions was considered.
Alison Traboulsi, product manager at Direct Line business insurance, said: “The rising frequency of tool theft up and down the country is alarming. Our research shows that over half of all tool thefts occurred from a vehicle, highlighting the importance of keeping tools secure, as well as having the correct insurance in place if theft does occur.
A selection of some tools.
“Tool theft is hugely disruptive for hardworking tradespeople who rely on their tools for their livelihoods, so it’s vital that they do all they can to help protect themselves. We would encourage tradespeople to take steps to help secure their tools, such as parking their vehicle in a safe, well-lit location, fitting additional locks, or installing an alarm system and forensically marking their tools.
“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.”
Above extracted from HPM Monthly, UK, 17 May 2023
Sadly, we have no stats on tool theft in South Africa but when one considers the value, not only in Rands but to the plumber or tradesperson in performing their task, the loss is devastating.
Insurance companies do offer insurance on tools with certain requirements regarding the protection of said tools and the need to always protect them.
All too often the plumber’s truck/bakkie pulls up at the building and back door wide open whilst the staff are inside cleaning a drain, unblocking a toilet, or fitting a geyser. One hears the plumber on the roof asking his/her assistant to go fetch tool a or b, which he does and all this time the bakkie door has been open offering an opportunist to snatch a tool or two or even the expensive leak detector or electronic drain cleaner.
The thief would not know what to do with such tools but to the nearest pawn shop he/she runs to get a few bucks for whatever the need is at that moment. Insurance companies frown on that behaviour, and it is very unlikely they will pay out in cases like that. That is, of course, if the tools are insured!
While the cost of insurance is a grudge purchase it must not be looked at in this way. It should be considered reverse way of what is the loss of business if one does not protect tools firstly and the cost of replacement when they are stolen.
Insurance is competitive now days so it is good to shop around and bear in mind that the cost of replacement should also consider our volatile Rand.
When insuring one’s vehicle include the value of tools. Be selective about the vehicle one purchases that it has good security features but above all – be careful with the ‘tools of the trade’.
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