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No Region of the UK Is Safe from Tool Theft

10/12/2019 Protect yourself against tool theft

Tool theft is a nationwide epidemic and no region of the UK is safe from this criminal activity. We know this anecdotally from talking to tradespeople who come to us to have extra security affixed to their van doors. But once you start looking at the numbers the figures are astonishing! 

The insurance firm Simply Business posted a round-up of recent local press articles from around the UK. Here’s their snapshot of how tool thefts are being reported on up and down the country:

  • The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that £800,000 worth of tools have been stolen in the county of West Yorkshire in the last 12 months.
  • The Somerset Gazette reported that only 2 arrests had been made from 334 reported van tool thefts.
  • In Salisbury, 4 vans were burgled in the space of 48 hours according to Wiltshire radio station Spire FM.
  • And in London, one builder told the Henley Standard that he had more than £10,000 worth of tools stolen when burglars cleaned out his van.

Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders offers the following advice:

  • Where possible, remove your tools from your vehicle at night and store them indoors.
  • Install extra locks or safes in the van
  • Park against a wall or in a secure location not visible from the road
  • Install an affordable CCTV system
  • Overtly brand your tools with company details
  • Register your tool serial numbers on an online database such as immobilise.com 


We Can Secure Your Vehicle

Using our services, fitting a deadlock to your van is a quick and affordable process. Investing in a deadlock now could prevent theft of your van or its contents. The locks we fit are all Thatcham-approved. We can come out to your premises and install the locks or, if you can come to our workshop, we’ll offer you a discount. We have staff available to fit locks at weekends if that is more convenient.

  • Thatcham-approved deadlocks – from £177
  • Thatcham-approved slamlocks – from £135

Interested in having our locks installed in your vehicle? Call us on 01603 812613 or email admin@ptlockandsafe.co.uk

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