We’re often asked why we talk so much about tool theft. The reason’s pretty simple. When it stops being a blight on the lives of tradespeople all around the UK, we’ll stop talking about it.
Until then, this is a drum we’re more than happy to keep banging.
So when the chance came up for TVL’s very own Luke Powell to join Frankie Williams from Stolen Tools UK and Stephen Baker from S.B. Multitrade to talk tool theft, we jumped at the chance to talk about how stopping tool theft, while part of the solution, is certainly not the whole story.
So at the end of last month, we headed to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre for this year’s Screwfix Live event.
At the VIP opening, Stephen shared his own experience of tool theft and why the fight matters to him. His personal account helped explain what’s at stake far better than a list of missing equipment ever could.
Switching up the story
We spend a lot of time thinking about how thieves get into vans, and how to make that harder - it’s our business, after all. But following the tools beyond the break-in highlights something else. Because for every cheap drill someone’s offered, there’s an expensive backstory – most likely involving its rightful owner trying to replace it while juggling delayed jobs, a damaged van and jobs that need rescheduling.
That situation only happens when there’s a demand for cheap tools with no questions asked. Car-boot sales and online marketplaces would look very different if people everywhere decided to be a bit more discerning about second-hand tools. As things stand, it’s this demand that gives criminals a green light to keep targeting tradespeople.
The upshot is that our response needs to reach further. Better vehicle protection matters, and so does making stolen tools harder to sell. The person looking for a bargain needs to understand the real cost.
Our involvement at Screwfix Live sits alongside our support for tool-marking campaigns and the push for tougher legislation under the #StopToolTheft banner. But there’s additional work to be done here. Not just by manufacturers, retailers, campaigners and the wider trade, but by the people who make up the market for these tools. There’s a need to highlight the impact that a quick deal in a field on a wet Sunday morning can have on the lives of real people.
Thanks to Frankie, Stephen and everyone who helped keep the conversation going at Farnborough. We were so pleased to have been able to play our part.
And if the security on your own van could do with a closer look, get in touch with the teamhttps://www.tvl-ltd.co.uk/contact here. We’re always happy to talk – just ask the people at Screwfix Live!
