The data, supplied by the Metropolitan Police via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, shows the escalating scale of tool theft and its devastating impact on tradespeople, with nearly 10,000 instances of thefts from a motor vehicle reported to the force in 2024 alone. Laura Moran, Managing Director, TVL Group, said:
“That an estimated £16.3 million worth of tools have been taken from honest tradespeople in just 12 months is a stark reminder of the scale of this crisis. For many workers, their tools are their livelihood. Losing them can mean missed jobs, delayed projects and financial hardship, not to mention the emotional toll of feeling targeted and vulnerable. This epidemic is devastating lives and businesses and it’s clear that more needs to be done to support tradespeople and protect their essential tools.”
Van theft also remains a significant threat for Londoners, according to the Metropolitan Police’s data, with 2,760 vans reported stolen in 2024, meaning the force has seen a total of 11,799 vans taken since 2020. Moran added:
“We are committed to combating this growing threat by working with police forces, vehicle manufacturers, and tradespeople to develop robust security measures and raise awareness of the issue.”
