More than half of Brits (52%) believe sentencing for tool theft is too lenient, new research conducted by Direct Line business insurance reveals.
Four in five (82%) also think theft from a van is as serious as burglary offences while nearly three-quarters (74%) agree that increasing the penalties for tool theft would send a clear message the crime will no longer be tolerated.
The insight comes ahead of a Second reading of the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill, which calls for provisions to be made regarding sentencing for theft in relation to the theft of tools of trade, scheduled to take place this Friday 25 April 2025.
The survey referenced a typical Sentencing Council starting point for a standard tool theft, in which a criminal with ‘medium culpability’ who played ‘a significant role’ in a group theft of goods worth up to £10,000 is recommended a ‘high-level community order’. Over half (51%) believe community orders are not sufficient punishments for tool thefts of any kind.
While 69% think that breaking into an office to steal equipment and breaking into a van to steal equipment should be treated with the same level of severity, 13% even believe that thefts from vans are more serious offences.
Tool theft is viewed as an increasing concern by tradespeople specifically, as seven in ten (70%) report having had tools stolen within the past two years, with 65% saying tool theft is on the rise.
In a bid to help police forces collect accurate statistics, almost two-thirds (63%) agree that theft of tools should have its own crime category. Not all police forces and constabularies record instances of tool theft in the same way, so it can be difficult to collect accurate statistics on the prevalence of the crime to understand the true scale of the issue.
Further public opinion around initiatives to tackle tool theft includes the 59% of Brits who believe that the sale of second-hand tools at boot fairs, online marketplaces and pawnbroking companies should be banned unless the seller has proof of purchase.
Brits’ opinions on tool theft
| Statement | Percentage who agree (net) |
| Tradespeople should reasonably expect to be able to keep their tools in locked and alarmed vans | 77% |
| Increasing the penalties for tool theft would send a clear message that these crimes will no longer be tolerated | 74% |
| Tradespeople should be more respected for the essential role they play in our economy | 74% |
| Tradespeople are constantly at threat from tool theft | 72% |
| It is not practical for tradespeople to empty their work vans every single night | 71% |
| There is a lack of understanding around the impact of tool theft on individuals and small businesses | 71% |
| The sale of second-hand tools at boot fairs, online marketplaces and pawnbroking companies should be banned unless the seller has proof of purchase | 59% |
Source: Direct Line business insurance 2025
Most believe that tradespeople should reasonably expect to be able to keep their tools in locked and alarmed vans (77%) and that they deserve more respect for the essential role they play in our economy (74%). Many also recognise the constant threat of tool theft faced by tradespeople (72%), agree that it is not practical for tradespeople to empty their work vans every single night (71%), and feel that there is a lack of understanding about the impact of tool theft on individuals and small businesses (71%).
Mark Summerville, SME product manager at Direct Line business insurance, commented: “Our research reveals the extent to which the public support stricter penalties for tool theft, especially in light of the essential role tradespeople play in our economy and the drastic effects tool theft has on their business operations. With many offences avoiding custodial sentences, a majority support stricter punishments in order to help protect the livelihoods of tradespeople.
“Initiatives such as tool marking and tighter rules around providing proof of purchase when selling second-hand tools could further help reduce the prevalence of these crimes. Tradespeople should also ensure they have appropriate insurance in place to help minimise disruption to their businesses in the event they fall victim to tool theft.”
