Campaign group to rally in London against tool theft on Feb 3

Trades United, a UK-based campaign group, will hold a van rally at Parliament Square, Westminster, London, on February 3, urging the government to take action against the rising epidemic of tool theft and the resale of stolen tools at car boot sales and markets.

This protest, spearheaded by Shoaib Awan, owner of The Gas Expert and founder of Trades United, will be Trade United’s second rally against tool theft after the first one on June 3 last year. With over 360 participants confirmed, five convoys will converge on Westminster to call for urgent action.

On February 3, 2025, Trades United will hold a rally in London against tool theft. (Photo: Trades United)

“Tool theft numbers are rising year on year, and not enough is being done by the Government to protect the trades. A crime reference number is not acceptable. We don’t want policies that don’t work—we need strict enforcement and a crackdown operation with immediate effect,” said Awan.

Awan highlighted the far-reaching consequences of tool theft, saying it impacts livelihoods, mental well-being, and family stability. He criticized the lack of effective intervention from law enforcement, which adds to the financial burdens tradespeople face, such as increased insurance premiums and vehicle repair costs. He emphasized the need for collaboration between communities, policymakers, and law enforcement to tackle this issue and support those affected.

A study by Direct Line revealed that 44,514 tool thefts were reported to police in 2023—a 5% increase from 2022—with one tool theft occurring every 12 minutes.

Amanda Martin, Labour MP for Portsmouth North, spoke with Fix Radio’s Clive Holland about the devastating impact of tool theft on UK tradespeople.

“One in ten tradespeople can expect to have their tools stolen, often multiple times. On average, victims face losses of around £2,700 (€3,219), plus the costs of van repairs, lost work, and reputational damage,” she explained. “More than 80% suffer mentally or emotionally as a result.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp echoed these concerns, describing tool theft as a “massive problem for the industry.” He highlighted a case that a builder lost £20,000 as his digger was stolen.

“The police should use advanced facial recognition technology from CCTV, dashcams, and doorbell cameras to track offenders. Claiming on insurance is not a solution—it drives up premiums for everyone,” he said, calling for stronger enforcement measures.

Currently, tool theft in the UK is categorized under lesser harm levels, with offenders often receiving lenient sentences.

In July 2023, the Conservative government introduced the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023. However, Martin criticized it for placing too much responsibility on tradespeople rather than targeting criminals.

In response, she introduced the Theft of Tools of Trade Sentencing Bill on December 11, 2024, seeking tougher sentencing guidelines, including custodial sentences of up to two years.

With the bill’s second reading scheduled for April 25, Martin is organizing a parliamentary event to bring together stakeholders and campaigners. She has also launched a petition to rally public support and is urging constituents to lobby their MPs to prioritize this pressing issue.