Keep your tools safe with some simple steps
19 December 2025Summary
- Upgrade your lock game – You’ve spent thousands on a van, thousands more on your tools, don’t scrimp a couple of hundred to beef up your vans locks. Most thieves are opportunistic, so if a thief sees you’ve taken this simple precaution, it could be the difference.
- Wheel locks – visibly making your van more secure will make a thief think twice. Installing a prominent wheel lock could make a thief pause and wonder what other measures you’ve taken to protect your tools.
- Park cleverly – it might seem obvious, but parking somewhere with good lighting and up close to a wall without easy access to van doors may stop a thief in their tracks.
- Tool vault/ strong box – investing in a strongbox for your van gives you another level of security that a thief needs to overcome.
Take tools out overnight – obviously the cheapest (but a bit of a faff), just take tools inside with you at the end of the day.
Tool theft isn’t just rising - it’s surging. Police reports reveal that 59% of UK tradespeople lost tools to thieves in the past year alone, making it one of the fastest-growing threats on the job. On average, a tool is stolen from a tradesperson every 17 minutes.
According to another report, almost four out of five tradespeople have had tools stolen at some point. And it’s worth noting that self-employed tradespeople are 38% more likely to be targeted.
Tool theft affects all trades too, the most commonly stolen from being roofers (65%), electricians (58%), plumbers (55%), carpenters (54%), builders (42%) and tilers (33%).
Here are three more from the same report that you ought to know:
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83% of tool theft victims weren’t insured
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Tool theft costs the victim £4,470 on average
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Only 1% of victims recover their stolen tools
The real cost of tool theft for tradespeople
As the numbers show, tool theft hits hard. You’re not just paying to replace the gear you rely on - you’re also covering vehicle repairs and losing valuable earnings while you scramble to replace what was taken.
This loss of earnings, as well as the fact you’ve been robbed, can also create a huge amount of stress and really knock your wellbeing.
Another stat that really stings is that 37% of tradespeople have had their tools stolen more than once, meaning if you don’t take adequate precautions, you could face those costs all over again.
Prevention is crucial, even if you have tool insurance
While tool insurance policies can make sure you recover the cost of your stolen tools, it can’t always prevent some loss of earnings, or the emotional impact you can feel after a theft.
At Trade Direct Insurance, we know just how important tools are to your livelihood, so we’ve put together some top tips to help keep yours safe.
Remove tools from your van at night
It might feel like a hassle after a long day, but spending a few minutes unloading your tools could save you thousands. Taking your kit inside is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop thieves in their tracks.
Keep an inventory of your tools
A solid record of your tools is your safety net. If the worst happens, proof of ownership can make or break your insurance claim. Keep a list of serial numbers, and photograph your tools regularly - close-ups of markings included - so any claim can be processed quickly and with minimal stress.
Mark your tools
You may have asked yourself, “How should you label or mark your tools so they’re less attractive to thieves and easier to recover?” A clearly marked tool is far less appealing to a thief. Personalised tools are harder to shift and much easier to identify if they’re recovered. Use whatever method suits you - spray paint, engraving, UV pens, forensic marking fluid, even RFID chips or QR codes. The more unique the marking, the better the deterrent.
Register your tools
As well as keeping serial numbers safe, you can make your tools more traceable by registering with manufacturers, or a free online register like Immobilise.
Park safely
This might seem like an obvious one, but parking somewhere that’s well lit can be a good deterrent to thieves. Reverse parking close up to a wall is another top tip as it prevents easy access to your van doors, which makes breaking into your vehicle a trickier proposition.
Separate chargers and batteries
Even if you don’t take all your equipment inside at night, removing batteries and chargers can be enough to put thieves off, who might struggle to resell incomplete tools.
Advanced theft protection solutions
Trackers
GPS tool trackers and Bluetooth trackers, usually used via an app, offer a great way for you to zero in on your tools if they do get stolen and give you the best chance of recovering them. Making potential thieves aware via signage or stickers that you use these trackers also acts as a useful deterrent.
Forensic marking
Our friends at SelectaDNA offer a great way to protect your tools. Forensically marking your tools means if your tools are stolen, police can simply check a stolen tool for your unique DNA marker to return your item and get the thief. We’re offering a 10% discount on the Tools and Equipment, Vehicle and Commercial range of kits. Enter TDI10 in the promo code box through the link to order today!
AlphaDot offers microdot kits that allow you to mark your items with a unique identifier in the same way.
Lockable tools with apps
Some power tools have locking features that you can control with an app, preventing them from being used if they’re stolen. This is a solid way to stop thieves selling on your equipment, but you’ll need to advertise the fact that you have these features on your van/trailer/tools to help prevent theft in the first place.
Van security
There are various locking systems to help keep your van safe from thieves, which can automatically lock your van doors when they close, as well as provide additional steel-plate protection to prevent thieves from breaking in. On top of this, investing in a strongbox for your van gives you another level of security that should either deter or stop a thief in their tracks.
Cameras
There are a host of camera options that can help you catch thieves when you’re away from your van. Companies like uWatch offer a motion detection camera, as well as an alert system that lets you know within 10 seconds if someone breaks in. And of course the whole thing will be recorded, providing vital evidence you can share with the police.
Make sure your tools are insured
The steps above should give you the best chance of hanging onto your equipment, but our tool insurance is there in case the worst happens. We can cover equipment between £1,000-£15,000 (you choose the protection you need) and we can cover your tools 24 hours a day, even if they’re in your van overnight.
Fill in our online form for a tools insurance quote, drop us an email at enquiries@tradedirectinsurance.co.uk or call 0800 0280 280.
FAQS
How should you choose a safe place to park your work van to reduce the risk of break-ins?
Choose a well-lit, busy, and overlooked spot - ideally near CCTV or your home - so thieves are far less likely to take the risk.
How should you secure your tools when you leave a job site temporarily?
Lock them in a secured, out-of-sight storage area or van and never leave them unattended on the ground or in open view.
Trade Direct is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The company is a leading UK independent broker providing a wide range of policies to tradesmen and construction workers.
This note is not intended to give legal or financial advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon for such or regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. In preparing this note we have relied on information sourced from third parties and we make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein. You should not act upon information in this bulletin nor determine not to act, without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. We and our officers, employees or agents shall not be responsible for any loss whatsoever arising from the recipient’s reliance upon any information we provide herein and exclude liability for the content to fullest extent permitted by law.