Two in three (67%) tradespeople would like a UK ban on the sale of second-hand tools, unless the seller can provide proof of ownership, according to new research from Direct Line business insurance.
Published as hundreds of tradespeople gathered earlier this week to draw attention to increasing tool theft and call for stricter enforcement of existing laws, the research also found that seven in 10 (70%) tradespeople have had tools stolen in the past two years.
Every 12 minutes, a tool theft is reported in the UK, according to analysis published by Direct Line business insurance in 2024 – a 5% increase from the previous year, while 83% of tradespeople said they have lost business due to theft.
Now, the latest research from Direct Line business insurance reveals that almost half (47%) of tradespeople have been approached by, or witnessed, someone selling tools which they believed were stolen.
Of these, almost two-thirds (56%) reported the suspicious tools to the marketplace, trade authority, or police, while 92% refused to purchase them.
When it comes to the general public, further research from Direct Line business insurance found that three-quarters (75%) of people would not feel confident identifying stolen tools being resold, indicating how the requirement to provide proof of ownership when selling second-hand tools could help stifle the market for stolen tools.
Where members of the public bought second-hand tools from
| Location of second-hand tool purchase
|
Percentage |
| From an official website for selling second-hand goods | 38%
|
| From a car boot sale | 37%
|
| From a friend | 29%
|
| From social media | 21%
|
| From someone I didn’t know that I heard about through word of mouth | 13%
|
| I was contacted directly | 9%
|
| Other
|
8% |
| Don’t know / can’t remember
|
3% |
Source: Direct Line business insurance 2025
Mark Summerville, SME product manager at Direct Line business insurance, said: “Our research shows that the frequency of tool theft has been on the rise for several years, despite tradespeople taking additional precautions to protect their tools. So it is no surprise that 83% of tradespeople are concerned about tool theft.
“While there is no silver bullet to stop tool theft, tighter rules around providing proof of purchase when selling second-hand tools could help make it harder for criminals to resell goods. It’s also important that tradespeople have adequate insurance in place to help them get back up and running, should their tools be stolen and to take precautions to protect their tools where possible.”
Trades United, which organised this week’s rally in Westminster, is calling for stronger deterrents against thieves and more effective measures to combat the sale of stolen tools.
The business group is calling on the Government to take immediate action on tool theft with strict enforcement and a crackdown operation.
Tool theft epidemic reinforces need for additional security from fleets
Hex Group, parent firm of Bri-Stor Systems, has said that the unprecedented level of tool theft in the UK emphasises the need for fleets to take more stringent action.
Andrew Humphrey, group chairman, said that amid a lack of action from the Government to implement harsher penalties for tool theft, extra precautions need to be taken by businesses to convert their vehicles, enhancing safety and protecting their valuable equipment.
“At the Hex Group, we recognise tool theft is a major anxiety in the fleet sector. As such, one of our customers’ top priorities is deterring thieves. A vehicle without an effective security lock has a 90% chance of break-in, in comparison with a 10% chance where an efficient security lock and system is installed. Nevertheless, vehicles will always unfortunately remain at risk of break-ins, but with the presence of additional tailored security, such as alarm systems, most burglary attempts will be thwarted before they can be carried out fully.”
Humphrey added that investment in additional security measures was critical to counter the rising risks of tool theft.
“This can range from installing anti-peel kits and internal alarm systems to utilising visual external locks and graphics to deter thieves. It’s also best practice to avoid leaving tools in vehicles when it’s not necessary.
“Of course, it can be difficult to move equipment and it’s often not possible to store it anywhere bar the vehicle. So, to overcome this hurdle, lock boxes can be installed in the vehicle, creating an added layer of security and peace of mind when your fleet hits the road.”
Humphrey also spotlighted that the risks of tool theft are significantly higher in some regions.
“With over four decades of experience in the fleet conversion industry, we’ve seen, time after time, proven trends in theft relating to geographic areas. Through thorough communication with each of our customers, we provide tailored security systems for fleets depending on location.”
