Cleveland tops list of most tool thefts per resident last year
New research has been revealed from the Direct Line insurance group
We are hearing how Cleveland has more thefts of tools per resident than London.
Research from Direct Line insurance shows it has topped the list with 4,500 reports of tool theft to Cleveland Police and 1,141 reports of tool theft from a vehicle last year.
Dr. Kate Tudor, Criminologist and an Associate Professor in Criminology at Durham University, said: "It's an issue that we've seen for a while and it's an issue that we've seen to be increasing over time because of the incredible profits associated with the sale of tools in second hand markets.
"Recent research that I've carried out involves interviewing people that are involved in tool theft and they spoke about the fact that they were attracted to this form of criminality because of the strong second hand demand in second hand markets. The fact that they're easy to sell and the fact that they're able to realise market value when they're sold afterwards too.
"In terms of financial losses, you have the costs associated with actually using tools and some people are insured and some people aren't. You also have the associated financial impact in the sense that a lot of these thefts are associated with theft from motor vehicle offences.
"These offences often involve a sort of high force which means that the vans themselves are incredibly damaged, so sometimes people are left without tools to actually carry out jobs, they're left without vehicles until repairs can be done, this impacts on their ability to go to work and reputationally as well if they're having to give up jobs that they've already committed to.
"It also has quite a significant psychological impact. People who are affected by tool theft reported having a really detrimental effect on their mental health, especially if they're victimised on multiple occasions which often happens."
She has this advice: "Take security seriously, take precautions in terms of removing tools from vehicles overnight, but also removing the market for the sale of second hand stolen tools and therefore, we need to look at industry-wide marking and registration processes and the much more effective regulation."
Jonny McHugh, Head of Small Business Insurance at Direct Line, says: “It’s alarming to see that tool theft has risen yet again. Despite tradespeople taking numerous precautions and investing in additional van security to protect their tools, brazen thieves are continuing to target them.
“Tradespeople rely on their tools for their livelihoods, meaning this can have a massive financial impact if they are taken. Replacing tools is costly, takes time and vans will often need to undergo substantial repairs following a break in, meaning tradespeople are off the road and unable to work.
The rise in these thefts means that it’s more important than ever that tradespeople take precautions to help keep their tools safe and deter thieves, as well as making sure they have the correct insurance to help deal with the consequences if a theft does occur.”