Tradespeople are urging van manufacturers to improve security as nearly two-thirds of tool theft victims claim none of their stolen goods have ever been recovered
According to new data from trade broadcaster Fix Radio, nearly three-quarters of tradespeople have had professional tools stolen, with victims reporting disruption to their work and equipment that was never recovered.
The survey of 500 UK tradespeople also found 73% had personally experienced tool theft with four in five of those affected saying it caused at least moderate disruption to their ability to work, while two in five reported losing more than £1,000 worth of equipment. Almost two-thirds of victims (65%) said none of their stolen tools had been recovered.
The findings come after Fix Radio’s September report, which found more than 80% of tradespeople wanted van makers to improve security, alongside strong support for tighter controls on second-hand tool sales and tougher penalties for convicted thieves.
The survey also found that 85% of respondents felt authorities did not take tool theft seriously enough. Just one in three believed the government was doing enough to tackle it.
In its March 2026 consultation response on equipment theft, the Home Office said it was working with police and industry on making tools identifiable and traceable. It also said it would consider alternative approaches to preventing power-tool theft rather than including tools in the proposed secondary legislation.
Fix Radio Broadcaster Clive Holland, says: “A stolen tool can mean a cancelled job, not just a replacement bill. A tradesperson can have customers booked in and work ready to go, but still be unable to earn because the equipment they need has disappeared.”