Stamp Out Tool Theft with the introduction of tighter regulation & greater fines

Tool theft is ruining the livelihoods of UK tradespeople, and the problem’s getting worse.

To combat the issue, we are calling for the introduction of tighter regulation when it comes to the selling of secondhand tools, and greater minimum fines for those convicted of tool theft.

For a tradesperson, tool theft removes your ability to earn an income. Latest research suggests that more than 1 in 3 have had their tools stolen and that it costs victims over £3k on average.

Preventative measures are crucial, but will never be enough. The peel and steal technique and the rise of keyless entry thefts show that thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Greater deterrents and taking away the incentive to steal tools in the first place will help to Stamp Out Tool Theft.

The Government recognises the distress and disruption that acquisitive crime can cause and the effect it can have on victims, including the impact on people who rely on the tools of their trade to earn a living.

The Theft Act 1968 includes robust measures for dealing with crimes of theft and handling stolen goods, including tool theft. The Act provides a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment for theft and a maximum penalty of fourteen years’ imprisonment for handling stolen goods. In addition, the Act provides powers to tackle the threat of people going equipped to steal, with a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment. Therefore, the Government has no plans to amend existing legislation, including introducing minimum fines for theft offences, at this time.

Making stolen goods harder to sell on is a key part of making all forms of acquisitive crime less attractive to thieves. That is why we continue to work with the police to understand better the buying and selling ‘journey’ for a range of goods to inform what more can be done to tackle the stolen goods market.

This work will build on current police activity, which includes working with key partners such as product manufacturers, security companies and representatives from the insurance industry to make goods ‘harder to steal, harder to sell’; and encouraging the public to mark and register their property. Indeed, police forces have funded the provision of over half a million property marking kits to households across England and Wales, which has helped enable those who steal or handle stolen property to be brought to justice.