Workers’ tools are stolen every 17 MINUTES in the UK

The rate at which tools are being stolen from British workers is at an all-time high.

According to recent data, most thefts come from vehicles such as vans.

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Direct Line’s study found that a tool has been stolen from a worker every 17 minutes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since March 2021, according to a new analysis of police data.

A total of 31,161 tools were stolen, most of which (17,370) were captured by thieves breaking into vehicles.

This is an increase from pre-pandemic levels. In calendar year 2019, 28,681 cases of tool theft were reported, which equates to one theft every 20 minutes.

With an average stolen tool value of £385, £80m worth of equipment was stolen last year.

The study also revealed the areas where you are most at risk of tool theft.

While robberies from London accounted for 62% of all incidents (19,351), Northumbria topped the list when population density is taken into account.

The South West was third, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber and the East Midlands.

The rest of the top 10 crime hotspots were made up of the North East, North West, East of England, South East and finally Northern Ireland.

Alison Traboulsi, product manager at Direct Line Business Insurance, said: “At a time when people are facing serious cost of living challenges, heartless criminals are depriving hard-working tradespeople of their livelihoods.

“It’s not just the value of the stolen tools, theft can cause huge delays on site, create huge additional costs and cause serious planning problems.

“We urge those considering buying used tools to question the provenance to limit the opportunities for criminals to dispose of stolen goods.