The UK Government acknowledges the significant impact of acquisitive crime, particularly tool theft, on individuals, businesses, and communities. Tradespeople, who rely on their tools for their livelihoods, are particularly vulnerable to the cost and disruption caused by such crimes. While car boot sales can be a convenient place for individuals to purchase used tools, the government is actively addressing the issue of tool theft which can sometimes be linked to these marketplaces.
The government is committed to tackling tool theft through various measures, including extending the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 to encompass tools. This aims to prevent theft and facilitate the recovery of stolen tools, regardless of where they might be sold, including at car boot sales or online platforms.
Recent data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales indicates a positive trend, with neighbourhood crime down by 48% compared to figures from 2010. This reflects the government’s dedication to driving down crime rates across the board. The recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers over the past three years further demonstrates this commitment. The government is clear that all reported crimes, including tool theft, must be thoroughly investigated and pursued through the courts with appropriate sentencing. Police are expected to adopt a zero-tolerance approach and pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry to catch perpetrators and solve crimes.
Tradespeople’s vans are frequently targeted by criminals seeking to steal valuable tools. The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, recently passed by Parliament, mandates the marking and registration of certain equipment used in agriculture, construction, and other commercial sectors before their first sale. This legislation is intended to assist police in identifying and proving ownership of recovered stolen property, which could include tools found at car boot sales or other second-hand markets. There have been calls to extend this legislation to include forensic marking on power tools used by tradespeople.
The Home Office conducted an eight-week Call for Evidence, concluding in July 2023, to gather insights from stakeholders affected by potential legislation, including manufacturers, retailers, trade associations, tradespeople, and law enforcement. The government’s response to this Call for Evidence, informed by discussions with retailers and manufacturers about the impact of these proposals, will be published shortly, outlining the next steps in tackling tool theft.
A comprehensive program is underway to diminish the profitability of acquisitive crime for offenders, making tool theft less appealing. This involves ensuring property is marked, registered, and easily traceable. Encouraging due diligence checks by second-hand traders and increased police enforcement are also crucial components. These measures aim to make it harder for criminals to profit from stolen goods, regardless of the sales channel, be it car boot sales, online marketplaces, or other avenues. The government is collaborating with the police to better understand the routes used to sell stolen goods and to devise more effective strategies to combat the stolen goods market.
The government is actively working with the police-led National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) and Combined Industries Theft Solutions to explore innovative ways to prevent tool theft from tradespeople’s vans. The NBCC and Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Secured By Design) have published valuable crime prevention guidance for tradespeople, accessible at https://nbcc.police.uk/crime-prevention/crime-prevention-guides and https://www.securedbydesign.com/guidance/crime-prevention-advice/vehicle-crime/vans-tool-theft.
To enhance the security of tradespeople’s vans, the government is collaborating with partners. Thatcham Research, following engagement with the Home Office and National Vehicle Crime Working Group, has agreed to incorporate locks and alarms for van rear doors and motion sensors for the load area into their New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA). Previously, NVSA focused solely on the van cab area.
Furthermore, the National Vehicle Crime Working Group has established a network of vehicle crime specialists across all police forces in England and Wales. This network facilitates information sharing on emerging vehicle crime trends and enables a more coordinated approach to tackling regional issues, including tool theft.
Currently, there are no plans to prohibit the sale of used power tools at car boot sales or markets. The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 provides the framework for introducing measures specifically designed to address the theft of tradespeople’s tools, while allowing legitimate marketplaces like car boot sales to continue operating.
Home Office
