More than £46 million worth of tools reported stolen from vehicles in the last six months

• An astonishing £245,893 worth of tools have been reported as stolen from vehicles every day across the UK since the easing of lockdown in April 2021
• This is having a devastating impact on tradespeople’s livelihoods, as it would take them a full working week (4.9 days) on average to replace their tools in the event of theft
• Despite the growing threat, over half of tradespeople (56 per cent) leave their equipment in a vehicle overnight, while 59 per cent of this group do not have specific insurance in place to cover them in the event of tool theft

More than £46 million worth of tools have been reported as stolen from vehicles in the UK since the easing of lockdown in April 2021, equating to an astonishing £245,893 stolen every day, according to an analysis of data from UK police forces by Direct Line business insurance. ¹

Tradespeople are bearing the brunt, with nearly 4 in 10 (38 per cent) having fallen victim to tool theft in the past, separate research by the insurer revealed. ² This is particularly worrying because with the clocks going back and the nights getting longer, the crime is likely to become even more common.

This is having a devastating impact on tradespeople’s livelihoods. On average, they estimate that it would take them a full working week (4.9 days) to replace the equipment, potentially preventing them from carrying out jobs and hitting them hard in the pocket.

Despite the threat, over half of tradespeople (56 per cent) leave tools in a vehicle overnight, with nearly six in ten of this group (59 per cent) not even having specific insurance in place to help deal with the consequences of tool theft.

This is despite nearly a third (31 per cent) of tradespeople being more concerned about the problem now, than they were before the pandemic, which suggests that awareness isn’t always translating into action.

Tool theft is a risk for tradespeople all over the UK, but London is a gold mine for thieves. 12,769 reported cases of tool theft from vehicles were recorded in the capital since the easing of lockdown in April, followed by West Yorkshire (400 cases), Northumbria (233 cases) and Kent (217 cases).

Top UK regions for tool theft from vehicles - Direct Line business insurance, 2021:

Promisingly, some tradespeople are implementing measures to protect their tools and livelihoods from thieves. These include:

·         Keeping tools in a property/garage overnight (30 per cent)

·         Keeping tools out of sight when they are stored (28 per cent)

·         Fitting an alarm on their vehicle (25 per cent)

·         Installing Van CCTV or dashcam (22 per cent)

·         Parking their vans in a safe and sensible space to deter potential thieves (21 per cent)

Jonny McHugh, Business Manager, Direct Line business insurance, said:

“Sadly, tool theft continues to be a real threat to tradespeople across the UK. While it’s promising to see some implement measures to protect their tools, it’s concerning that so many leave them in their vehicles overnight and do not have the correct insurance in place to help them deal with the consequences of theft.

“Our Tools Essentials service provides tradespeople with comprehensive cover, helping to safeguard them from expensive setbacks caused by the loss or theft of vital equipment. It helps replace essential tools within 24 hours of a valid claim so that tradespeople can get back to work quickly, minimising disruption.”

The Direct Line business insurance Tools Essentials service helps to replace essential tools within 24 hours, with an upfront faster payment of up to £1,500, subject to a few checks. Tools Essentials is available to every customer who has a valid tools claim and policy with Direct Line business insurance. Overnight Tools Cover, which carries an additional premium and excess, insures our customers tools, up to £10,000, when kept in a locked vehicle overnight. This is invaluable for tradespeople who are often working at a customer’s site and don’t have access to a locked building for storing tools overnight.  Claims can be reported between 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays. Policy limits and exclusions apply.

For more information about Direct Line business insurance’s Tools Essentials Service and Overnight Tools  cover, please visit our website:      
https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/public-liability-insurance/insurance-for-tools

For tips on protecting tools from theft, please visit:       
https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/van-insurance/knowledge-centre/your-van-and-your-business/what-van-security-improvements-can-i-make

-ENDS-

¹ FOI request to all police forces in England and Wales, with 27 providing relevant data

 ² Nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults conducted by Opinium on behalf of Direct Line business insurance from 15th-19th October 2021 – 172 were tradespeople

For further information please contact:

Direct Line Group
Unni Henry
Marketing Practitioner
Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk

About Direct Line business insurance

Launched in 2007 Direct Line business insurance now has over half a million customer policies, providing a flexible range of insurance products for the landlord, van and small business sectors.

Direct Line business insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line business insurance and U K Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line business insurance products or get a quote by calling 0345 301 4827 or visiting https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk