Trades United Rally to Combat Tool Theft in February

A RALLY to demand government action on the growing tool theft crisis is taking place in Westminster on 3 February 2025.

The event, organised by Trades United, will call for stronger legislation and enforcement to deter tool thieves.

The protest will start at Brent Cross and culminate at Parliament Square in central London. Tradespeople will be protesting what they see as inadequate enforcement of theft laws. Participants will stage a ‘go-slow’ convoy to “symbolically disrupt traffic”, the organisers say.

Letter to MPs

Supporters are being urged to send a letter prepared by online media company, On The Tools to their MP. The letter describes the financial and emotional impact of tool theft on tradespeople. It ends by calling for amendments to sentencing guidelines, stricter regulation of resale markets, and more robust enforcement measures.

Tool Theft

Tool theft is a widespread problem affecting tradespeople across the UK.

Last year, Kent police recovered 3,500 stolen tools estimated to be worth £1m. The perpetrators of tool theft often sell the goods at car boot sales and on digital marketplaces.

The Theft Act 1986 allows up to 14 years prison sentences for those caught stealing tools or handling stolen goods.

Shoaib Awan, founder of Trades United, said: “We need the government to come forward and support and protect hard-working tradespeople and their livelihoods by implementing the law which this country has in place when it comes to theft.”

“Tool theft numbers are rising year on year and not enough is being done by the government to protect the trades. A crime reference number is not acceptable. We don’t want policies that don’t work, we need strict enforcement and a crackdown operation with immediate effect.

“The lack of effective intervention from law enforcement only exacerbates the problem. Businesses suffer not only from the loss of tools but also from the subsequent financial burdens such as increased insurance costs and repairs.”

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