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Top tips to keep your tools safe – South London News

Data from the Met has revealed that reports of tool theft have fallen by almost a quarter in Sutton since 2021, the borough with the biggest reduction in such crime, as the wider London area reports an increase in 111% in tool theft reports.

Data from January 2021 to October 2022 revealed that Barnet had the highest count of recorded breaches, with a total of 2,081, followed by Enfield (1,794), Newham (1,761), Brent (1,367) and Waltham Forest (1,318). .

By comparison, Sutton experienced a total of just 417 tool theft incidents between 2021 and 2022, as 70% of London boroughs report an increase in tool theft.

Tool theft in London 2022 The report, compiled by London telehandler hire specialists Herts Tools, comes from a freedom of information request to the Met.

The data reveals the impact of tool theft in London, the industries most affected and the types of tools most frequently targeted.

The four boroughs with the lowest number of reported burglaries were all in south and south-west London: Merton (490), Richmond Upon Thames (416), Kingston Upon Thames (385) and Kensington & Chelsea (333).

Stefano Lobban, director of Herts Tools, said: “It’s disappointing to see the tool theft epidemic worsening in London.

“It is not surprising to see that high priced items such as power hand tools continue to be the most sought after by thieves. Amid the current cost of living crisis, the secondhand (and potentially stolen) tool trade is booming, tempting more people to steal tools.

“We urge all professionals of all trades to double check that they have anti-theft security measures in place, to avoid becoming a victim of crime.”

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “With eight in 10 builders reporting having had tools stolen before, tool theft is a serious problem for British tradesmen.

“It’s a shame that over a working life of 40 years, tradesmen typically lose £10,000 and six working days to stolen tools. In addition to the detrimental financial impact, tool theft causes mental health issues and stress for builders.

“Builders can protect themselves by bringing tools inside at night, adding extra locks to their truck, and marking tools. Installing an affordable CCTV system is another option, as is recording tool serial numbers in an online database. Builders should also check their insurance policies to see what they have covered.”

How to prevent tool theft
  • Do not store tools in your truck overnight.
  • Get a tool safe if you have to leave any tools in your truck.
  • Always lock your truck doors during the day to keep opportunistic thieves out.
  • Park in a crowded area covered by CCTV.
  • Install an alarm in your van.
  • Mark the tools with your name and zip code.
  • Use security tags or chips to deter thieves and help recover if something is stolen.
  • Apply brightly colored paint to make them more identifiable and less attractive to thieves.

Image: Pixabay/annawaldl

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