How To: Prevent Tool Theft

Self-employment is never just a job, and the possibility of having the tools needed to produce your work stolen is surely the fuel of nightmares for many.

More than £83 Million worth of tools has been stolen between 2017 and 2019, according to Electrical Times. While the data for 2020 isn’t readily available yet, we can guess that it has fit into the upward trend of reported instances.

Every career choice naturally has its own associated risk; being a self-employed tradesperson can sometimes feel like a constant battle of weighing up whether a risk is worthwhile. An injured back from convincing yourself that you definitely can lift that boiler, creaking knees from neglecting to use those ‘annoying’ kneepads or a bump on the foot which definitely could’ve been softened by the steel toe caps that you have sitting at home - as annoying as this all is, it’s easier to accept as it is a choice that we made which put us into a temporary discomfort. Being a victim of theft, however, leaves you feeling hopeless.

Although the victim is never at fault, it is important for all tradespersons to secure themselves as best they can in an effort to reduce the chance of having their tools stolen. Here's a list of the best tool theft prevention methods:

Remove Opportunity

This may seem like common sense, but sometimes we’re all guilty of taking shortcuts to make things a bit more comfortable for ourselves. Whether you’re going back and forth between van and front door while loading up, just nipping out for “two seconds” or keeping a window cracked on the (albeit rare!) heatwave days, we’re all guilty of adopting such bad practises. Keeping your vehicle locked and windows closed at all times provides less chance for passing opportunists to exploit – and don’t forget to lock your doors when sat in your van too!

Anti Theft Security

Whether you’re purchasing a brand-new van, or choosing the economical route of a second-hand vehicle, you’re going to want to look into upgrading the security. You can choose to have this improved by the vehicle manufacturer and opt for an upgrade on the lock, immobilisers and alarm systems, or you can go to a third-party security specialist for the installation of security systems. Making it harder to get into your van increases the window of time where you can be alerted of the attempted theft and call 999, hopefully stopping the thieves from being able to get inside.

Secure Storage

When the sole purpose of your vehicle is to transport goods to and from jobsites (whether they’re domestic or commercial) you’re going to find yourself with an expensive load on a regular basis. It’s best to fit secure storage as another wall of protection – if a thief manages to access the inside of your van, you need to have reduced the availability of material for them to pinch. Investing in one or more of the Armogard Van Box will provide multi-level protection for your goods. A 5 lever deadlock offers a whole new level of security, with the 45kg weight meaning you’re removing the chance of a grab-and-go situation.

Advertisement

Naturally, we want to advertise our business in a way which is consistent. You may have van signage to showcase who you are when pulling up to a job or construction site, and as a means of advertisement while you’re going about your business. Unfortunately, this also advertises to thieves. Stickers can be added to your van to say ‘No Tools Left In Van’ and similar motifs, so these may be worth the couple of quid. Another thing to consider is advertisement on social media – you may have some new van racking and a false floor fitted that you’re desperate to show off to your plumber friends on Twitter or electrician pals on Facebook. It may be worth reconsidering showcasing your custom van carpentry, as this can act as a shop window to show potential criminals exactly what you keep in your van and where.

Tradesman Insurance

Sure, insurance is a drag, but it is totally worth it if everything goes wrong. Tradesman insurance which covers van and tool theft will prove its worth should you be victim to stolen equipment. Getting you back on the road as soon as possible is the best option so that you don’t financially suffer any more than needed after being a victim of tool theft, so it’ll be worth getting a quote for tool insurance so that you’re not left out of pocket if needed.

Tool Marking

It is worth considering getting UV marking or engravements on your tools. This wouldn’t necessarily help to prevent tool theft, but it will make it harder for the tools to be sold on and even likelier to make their way back to you if they're found in the hands of criminals, or being sold on. The police often check stolen tools for these markers as a way of getting them back to their rightful owners, so it is definitely an avenue worth considering. 

Taking just a small amount of time to review your security and re-assess how to prevent tool theft can save you a lot of time and money in the future. Replacing a damaged work vehicle and all of your tools is never something which anybody wants to do, as it'll take you off the road for a while. In the unfortunate event that you still become a victim, have a look around to see if there are any tool loaning charities in your area who are there to help in this situation. 

Think that you have some good advice to add? Leave a comment below with your suggestions on how to prevent tool theft!