Tool theft is not a minor inconvenience. It is a devastating, growing crime that is hitting tradespeople across the country, often with no accountability and no justice. Over the last year, I have been campaigning to change that. It’s time our justice system started treating this issue with the seriousness it deserves.
Every day, thousands of electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and other skilled tradespeople head out to work to keep Britain running. Yet far too many of them now live with the constant fear that the very tools they rely on to make a living could be stolen at any moment. The scale of this problem is staggering: one in ten tradespeople will fall victim to tool theft this year alone. For many, it won’t be the first time, or the last. Some have already been targeted three or more times in their careers.
This is not a victimless crime. It’s not petty. The average cost of a single tool theft incident is around £3,000, and when you add vehicle damage and lost earnings, the total loss can quickly climb to £6,000 or more. But the real damage goes deeper: more than 40% of victims report reputational harm to their business, and over 80% say the crime affected their mental health. We cannot ignore the fact that the construction industry already has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the UK.
Under the Conservatives, theft has been effectively decriminalised. Between 2010 and 2024, the proportion of thefts solved by police plummeted. In 2015, around 9.4% of thefts resulted in charges. By last year, that number had fallen to just 4.6%. The figures for burglary are even worse, with only about 3.5% of domestic burglaries leading to a charge in the last recorded year. For the vast majority of victims, that means no one is ever held accountable.
After 14 years of cuts to policing and criminal justice, this is where we have ended up. Police numbers were slashed, community policing was dismantled, and court backlogs spiralled. Crimes like tool theft and shoplifting are now often met with a shrug. Retail CEOs have reported that shoplifters openly brag that the police “won’t even turn up.” Why should our tradies feel any different?
I have been campaigning on this issue for more than six months. I introduced my Ten Minute Rule Bill on tool theft back in December, I’ve met with Ministers, spoken with industry leaders, and heard from countless tradespeople about the personal and financial devastation this crime causes. I’ve been encouraged by the cross-party support I’ve received as this is not a party-political issue; it’s about fairness, safety, and respect for working people.
The current sentencing guidelines are simply not good enough. Most tool theft cases are classified as low harm because they often involve stolen goods valued under £10,000. But this approach completely ignores the real-world impact: van repairs, lost income, cancelled contracts, mental health strain, and the reputational damage that can permanently harm a small business.
That’s why my Bill proposes two simple, but crucial reforms. First, the Sentencing Council should explicitly list the theft of tools of trade as an example of “significant additional harm.” This would encourage magistrates to treat these cases more seriously, even when the monetary value is below the current thresholds. Second, the guidelines should consider total financial losses, not just the sticker price of the stolen items. That means factoring in vehicle damage, missed work, and lost income.
But this campaign isn’t about building more prisons. I believe in stronger, smarter community sentences: compulsory unpaid work, electronic tagging, alcohol and sport abstinence orders, travel restrictions. These are tough, visible punishments that have been proven to reduce reoffending and restore confidence in the justice system. Because the reality is many of these thieves are not criminal masterminds, they’re opportunists who simply think they’ll never get caught or punished. Sadly, in today’s system, they’re often right.
We must break this cycle. We must restore justice for our tradespeople, the plumber up at dawn, the roofer out in the cold all year round, the carpenter working late. They deserve the freedom to work without constantly looking over their shoulders.
Reforming sentencing guidelines is a vital step in valuing our tradespeople properly and recognising their crucial role in Britain’s economy. I urge MPs from all parties to join me. Let’s send a clear message: tool theft won’t be tolerated. It’s time to stand up for working people, and to ensure the justice system does too.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Our Tradies: Tackling the Tool Theft Epidemic
