The top 10 tool theft hotspots of the UK

The rising cost of living and trading has put businesses under immense pressure. Whilst stolen tools could seem a minor inconvenience, losing tools and large-scale equipment could be disastrous for a business already suffering in the current economic climate.

Whilst tool thefts can happen anywhere in the country, we have found certain areas are prominent hotspots and being aware of them could protect you from a loss of earnings and higher insurance premiums.

Through gathering Freedom of Information data from local councils across the UK, we’ve identified which areas suffered the most commercial tool thefts since January 2020.

Cambridgeshire took the top spot with 9,433 total thefts, a significant lead ahead of South Yorkshire in second place with 6,123 thefts. Yorkshire appeared in the top ten twice more, with West Yorkshire in 6th place (3,097) and North Yorkshire in 7th (2,229). Whilst Northern regions were prominent in the top ten, many Southern areas also made the list, with Essex coming 4th (4,196), Hertfordshire being 5th (3,675) and Northamptonshire coming 9th (1,013).

Despite the above locations being included in the top ten, nearly all these regions have seen a decrease in tool thefts since 2020. For example, North Yorkshire dropped by 56.11% between 2020 and 2021. Despite this slight decline, there has already been a significant number of tool thefts in 2022 so far.

Looking further into the data, we can see that in Cambridgeshire, the number of ‘thefts from a motor vehicle’ (6,581) was over twice as common as a ‘burglary from a business’ (2,837). This is a common occurrence in tool thefts. Whilst business owners will often invest in security for premises and buildings, vehicles are often forgotten and become a perfect target for thieves.

You can’t guarantee the protection of your vehicle from tool thefts, however, making small changes like storing tools inside or in secure storage overnight, parking vehicles closer to your home or building and investing in a sticker which states no tools are left in the vehicle overnight can all deter thieves.

Although the overall number of thefts positioned Cambridgeshire at the top, the total value of property stolen in the area equalled £4,816,806, whilst South Yorkshire was valued much higher with £9,289,954 of stolen goods between January 2020 and July 2021.

Focusing on South Yorkshire, the most common tools stolen were:

1. Drill – 1246
2. Power Saw – 408
3. Tool Box – 395
4. Saw – 389
5. Electricians Tools – 359
6. Grinder – 316
7. Screwdriver – 265
8. Chain Saw – 233
9. Hedge Trimmer – 230
10. Jigsaw – 227

From the list, we can see smaller handheld tools such as drills and saws were much more at risk than larger, expensive items like fort lift trucks or platform lifts. These items are more convenient for thieves as they are smaller and likely have no serial numbers that owners or police could identify them with.

If you have unused machinery or equipment collecting dust, these items can be sold through auctions to make additional funds rather than risk them being stolen. Common machinery and tools can secure you major returns; they could be worth more than you might think!

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get rid of old equipment and secure additional funds, our international and industrial marketplace has over 1.5 million unique users.

We require no upfront costs and offer a free marketing strategy to ensure your items gain as much interest as possible. Our turnaround time is also unrivalled by competitors to help you get the funds you need in the shortest possible time. Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help you!

Alternatively, if you require new equipment or have perhaps had tools stolen recently, check out our current available lots here.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram so our latest news and auction updates!