October marks the start of ‘tool theft season’

• Tool theft peaks over the darker winter months
• October 2024 saw a 13% jump in tool theft compared to September
• Almost half (48%) of tradespeople have refused a job where they couldn't park in proximity to their location, due to fear of tool theft
• Over a third of tradespeople (36%) are transporting tools in their car boot, to make them less of a target

Tradespeople are being urged to stay vigilant and take extra precautions to keep their tools safe, as tool theft typically rises during the darker autumn and winter months. Police data¹, obtained by Direct Line business insurance, shows that tool theft across the UK jumped by 13% in October 2024, compared with the previous month, with the higher rates being sustained across the winter months. In 2023, there was an even larger 18% leap in tool theft in October, with almost 100 cases reported to police every day of the month.

With almost half of all reported tool theft in 2024 (49%) being from vans, tradespeople are changing their behaviour to try to reduce the risk they face. Almost half (48%) of tradespeople surveyed² by Direct Line said that they had turned down jobs where they were unable to park their van where they could see it, with 21% saying that they had done so multiple times. While over a quarter (26%) of tool thefts occur while working onsite, one in five (21%) happen when a van is parked on the street, 11% take place when a van is parked onsite, and 7% occur in car parks.

In addition, over a third of tradespeople (36%) said they had resorted to sometimes transporting their tools in the boot of their car, rather than in their van, to make it less obvious that they are carrying valuable equipment. A further 23% say that they are thinking of doing so, whilst 16% say they would like to, but have too many tools to fit in their car.

Table 1: Precautions tradespeople take to avoid tool theft

Whilst tool thefts reported to the police in 2024 were 18% lower ³ than in 2023, there are concerns that many thefts go unreported. The police⁴ urge tradespeople to report all thefts, to enable them to track patterns of theft and plan operations against the criminals.

Mark Summerville, SME Product Manager at Direct Line business insurance, commented: "As the dark nights are upon us, the risks faced by hardworking tradespeople increase significantly. Our research shows a worrying surge in tool theft during the autumn and winter months.

"Whilst tool theft can happen at any time, it's important to stay extra vigilant during the dark months when we know thefts are on the rise. We urge tradespeople to take precautions to help protect their livelihood, vans and valuable equipment."

Direct Line's top tips to prevent and protect yourself from tool theft:

Remove tools from your vehicle overnight

Take your tools out of the van when parked overnight and store them in a secure location.

Park your vehicle in busy, well-lit areas

Whenever possible, park in a busy, well-lit location with CCTV coverage. For added security, park with the rear or side doors against a wall or another vehicle to make access more difficult for thieves. If possible, park in a garage.

Lock your vehicle at all times

Ensure your vehicle is securely locked, no matter how briefly you leave it. Don't make it easy for opportunistic thieves.

Additional security

Consider installing additional alarms, immobilisers, deadlocks, slam locks, drill plates, and steering wheel locks for extra layers of defence. A GPS tracking device can significantly improve the chances of recovering your van and its contents if stolen.

Mark your tools

Marking your tools with a unique identifier (such as SmartWater or SelectaDNA) makes it easier for police to trace them back to you if they're stolen and later recovered. It also provides crucial evidence to help prosecute offenders.

Register your tools

Keep a detailed record of your tools, including the make, serial number, and photographs. This will help support insurance claims and assist police investigations. You may also want to register these on Immobilise, the UK's official National Property Register.

Place theft warning stickers on your vehicle's doors and windows

Warn potential thieves about the anti-theft security to deter them.

Insurance

Ensure your van and tools are properly insured. The right insurance can help cover the cost of replacing stolen tools or vehicle damage, helping you get back to work quickly with minimal disruption.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. UK Police FOI data sourced by Direct Line, which shows the number of tool thefts from 2022 - 2024

2. The research was conducted by Censuswide, amongst a sample of 501 UK Tradespeople between 23rd July to 28th July 2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

3. Direct Line research May 2025, Tool Theft Falls Nationwide as Tradies Fight Back - Direct Line Group

4. https://www.facebook.com/offthejobpodcastuk/videos/if-you-dont-report-it-we-cant-see-patterns-happening/1413420793155674/?_rdr

For further information please contact:

Unni Henry
PR Manager

Email: [email protected]

About Direct Line business insurance

Launched in 2007 Direct Line business insurance provides a flexible range of insurance products for the landlord, van and small business sectors and is part of the Aviva Group.

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