Upcoming events
View our upcoming events. See you there!
How you can help
View our upcoming events. See you there!
Past events
The harsh reality of tool related thefts
Social feed
A deep dive into the crux of the problem
Sign the petition
Find out how we’re solving the problem
The Shocking Statistics
The harsh reality of tool related thefts
Assessing the problem
A deep dive into the crux of the problem
How we’re fighting back
Find out how we’re solving the problem
Tool marking info
Mark your tools in case of theft
Upcoming events
View our upcoming events. See you there!
Make a difference
Find out how you can help our cause
Tool marking info
Get protected. Mark your tools now
The Shocking Statistics
The harsh reality of tool related thefts
Past events
Look at how we've made an impact
Assessing the problem
A deep dive into the crux of the problem
Join the movement
Get involved online with our partners
How we’re fighting back
Find out how we’re solving the problem
Sign the petition
Sign the petition to end tool theft
Upcoming Events
Join us at tool-marking events across the country. FREE to attend with forensic marking kits and expert advice.
Next Event
Mark this event in your calendar – it’s coming up soon!
Unit 9 Hyperion Way
Reading, Berkshire RG2 0HG United Kingdom
Tool theft is a growing problem for tradespeople, businesses, and local authorities. SelectaDNA Tool Marking Events provide an effective way to protect valuable equipment, deter criminals, and support police in […]
Unit 9 Hyperion Way
Reading, Berkshire RG2 0HG United Kingdom
Tool theft is a growing problem for tradespeople, businesses, and local authorities. SelectaDNA Tool Marking Events provide an effective way to protect valuable equipment, deter criminals, and support police in […]
110-112 Oxford Road
Reading, Berkshire RG30 6BX United Kingdom
Tool theft is a growing problem for tradespeople, businesses, and local authorities. SelectaDNA Tool Marking Events provide an effective way to protect valuable equipment, deter criminals, and support police in […]
Unit 1 Cressex Business Park
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3QL United Kingdom
Tool theft is a growing problem for tradespeople, businesses, and local authorities. SelectaDNA Tool Marking Events provide an effective way to protect valuable equipment, deter criminals, and support police in […]
Botley Road
Oxford, Oxfordshire OX2 0PB United Kingdom
Tool theft is a growing problem for tradespeople, businesses, and local authorities. SelectaDNA Tool Marking Events provide an effective way to protect valuable equipment, deter criminals, and support police in […]
Location: B&Q, Harold Hill, Romford
This event will be handing free tool marking kits worth over £60! Plus be sure to check out all it has to offer. Funded by the Council and Rhino Insurance.
Tangent Link, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 8GZ
Location: Bounds Green, North London
Due to overwhelming demand, we're back with at it! Join us for free giveaways, on-the-day discounts, and expert advice on protecting your livelihood from theft.
2nd Floor, Unit 3, Tealdown Works, Cline Road, Bounds Green N11 2LX
Location: Bounds Green, North London
Due to overwhelming demand, we're back with at it! Join us for free giveaways, on-the-day discounts, and expert advice on protecting your livelihood from theft.
2nd Floor, Unit 3, Tealdown Works, Cline Road, Bounds Green N11 2LX
Get your tools marked
Get your tools protected now. Spread awareness by getting involved in our events
The Shocking Statistics
The harsh reality of tool thefts per year in the UK
44,514
Reported cases of tool theft
Only 1%
Of tools are recovered
1 in 10
Tradespeople have their tools stolen
The Shocking Statistics
The harsh reality of tool thefts per year in the UK
44,514
Reported cases of tool theft
Only 1%
Of tools are recovered
1 in 10
Tradespeople have their tools stolen
The Shocking Statistics
The harsh reality of tool thefts per year in the UK
44,514
Reported cases of tool theft
Only 1%
Of tools are recovered
1 in 10
Tradespeople have their tools stolen
The cost of theft
Lets break down the money lost from tool theft. The cost of the tools is just the start
£2,730
Average cost of stolen tools
£98 million
In stolen tools
£1,920
Average loss in income and job cancellations
£82 million
In lost income
£1,320
Average cost of repairing damaged vans
The cost of theft
Lets break down the money lost from tool theft. The cost of the tools is just the start
£2,730
Average cost of stolen tools
£1,920
Average loss in income and job cancellations
£1,320
Average cost of repairing damaged vans
£98 million
In stolen tools
£82 million
In lost income
Every year, thousands of tradespeople wake up to a living nightmare: stolen tools, damaged vans, cancelled jobs, and lost business.
As those who have been unfortunate enough to have had their tools stolen will know, tool theft is more than an inconvenience, it’s a crime that costs the industry millions and pushes honest people to the brink. And it’s everywhere – from Maidstone to Manchester, from Stornoway to St Ives. For many tradespeople, losing their tools means losing their ability to work and support their families, sometimes for weeks while they struggle to replace specialised equipment. The ripple effect devastates not just individual workers, but entire supply chains and construction projects that grind to a halt.
Past Events
Take a look at our previous events where we’ve raised awareness to stop tool theft
In partnership with Trades United, Stolen Tools UK, SelectaDNA, Rhino Trade Insurance, and TVL Security, this event provided free SelectaDNA forensic marking kits and expert advice on securing tools and vehicles.
Tradespeople networked with fellow professionals while learning about the latest security measures to protect their livelihoods.
Held at Ford's Dunton site as part of Ford's Transit Day in August 2024, this amazing day brought together tradespeople, industry influencers, police, and industry leaders to work out how we can best address the urgent issue of tool theft. The day's schedule included:
Demonstrations of factory-fit van locks and security solutions
Tool-marking workshops and information sessions
Insights from the Tell TVL community about real-world theft prevention
In November 2024, we joined forces with the Metropolitan Police for tool-theft prevention events at hardware stores right across the South East, at:
Toolstation, Charlton: with tool-marking demonstrations and security showcases
Screwfix, Crayford: with best practices and top tips on security from our partners at the Met
Screwfix, Sidcup: a Safer Neighbourhood roadshow with live lessons in tool marking
Starting from Brent Cross, a convoy of trade vans drove through London to amplify calls for stronger deterrence against thieves and more effective measures to combat the spread of stolen tools.
The protest showed the new Government the distress that tool theft causes to tradespeople and their livelihoods.
Join the movement
Help spread awareness to #STOPTOOLTHEFT
@TradesUnited
Leading the fight for tradespeople's rights
@TheGasExpert
Supporting the trade community
@Stolen_Tools_UK_
Helping to give us a voice
Sign the Petition: End Tool Theft
78%
of tradespeople have reported equipment stolen
Increasing sentences
for those who steal tools and tradesman’s ability to work
Cracking down on the sale of stolen goods
at car boot sales which harm high street businesses
Compensation for victims
matching the true physical and mental cost of stolen equipment
Increasing sentences
for those who steal tools and tradesman’s ability to work
Cracking down on the sale of stolen goods
at car boot sales which harm high street businesses
Compensation for victims
matching the true physical and mental cost of stolen equipment
Increasing sentences
for those who steal tools and tradesman’s ability to work
Cracking down on the sale of stolen goods
at car boot sales which harm high street businesses
Compensation for victims
matching the true physical and mental cost of stolen equipment
Sign the petition Now!
Help our cause and stamp out tool theft by signing our petition
Sign the Petition Now
Help our cause by signing the petition
Sign the Petition: End Tool Theft
Every tool counts. Every voice matters.
Tool theft is about more than stolen equipment. It takes away your ability to earn a living and can be a devastating loss.
From builders to fleet owners, from electricians to mechanics, together, we can make sure they don’t get away with it. Together we can stop tool theft.
How tool marking works
Forensic tool marking is a powerful deterrent. It makes stolen tools easier to trace and harder to sell. Tools that have been marked are much more likely to be recovered and returned and, importantly, the thieves know this all too well. The more tradespeople that mark their tools, the more pressure we put on the criminals and the places they use to cash in and sell on.
How they've made a difference
- Convinced some large car boot sales to ban the sale of second-hand tools
- Raised awareness about the devastating impact tool theft has on tradespeople’s lives
- Built momentum for the Tool Theft Bill and stricter sentencing guidelines
Get your tools marked
Get your tools protected now. Spread awareness by getting involved in our events
