More than 26,000 tool thefts were recorded across the UK last year, but the scale of the problem in Staffordshire remains unclear after the county’s police force was unable to supply figures for the research.
Figures obtained by insurer Aviva and shared with the BBC Shared Data Unit show that at least 26,164 tool thefts were recorded during 2025 by 30 UK police forces.
That works out at an average of one recorded theft every 20 minutes.
The true total is likely to be higher, as a further 15 forces were unable to provide the requested information.
Staffordshire Police was among those that declined the Freedom of Information request because of the estimated cost of retrieving the data.
Why are Staffordshire figures unavailable?
The difficulty in obtaining information about tool theft has previously been acknowledged by Staffordshire Police.
In response to a separate Freedom of Information request in April 2025, the force said it would have to manually examine more than 53,000 crime records and 30,000 property records to establish which offences involved stolen tools and whether equipment had been recovered.
The work was estimated to take more than 4,150 hours, considerably exceeding the 18 hour limit used when assessing the cost of Freedom of Information requests.
While the force has released more limited information about relevant offences in other requests, the figures are not directly comparable with the latest national research.
The financial cost of stolen tools
For tradespeople, having tools stolen can mean more than the expense of replacing equipment.
Figures from insurer Direct Line for Business show the average value of a valid tool theft insurance claim during 2025 was £4,206.60.
The amount represents claims made to the insurer rather than the average loss experienced by everyone who has had tools stolen.
Gareth Powley, a senior technical underwriter at Aviva and Direct Line for Business, said
“Every time tools are stolen, it’s a disruption to their business. It’s not just about the tools.
“For us it’s about settling those claims as quickly as possible, getting them back on the road either with their vans or getting their tools replaced so they can get back to work as quickly as possible and earning money.”
Sergeant Dave Catlow, from the National Business Crime Centre, told the BBC that organised criminal groups were involved in tool theft, with stolen equipment being moved around the UK and overseas for resale.
Labour MP Amanda Martin, who represents Portsmouth North, has been campaigning for tougher action against tool theft.
She wants greater regulation of the resale market, including better checks on the ownership of tools being sold.
A Home Office spokesperson said
“We are working with the police to tackle and prevent tool theft to protect more hardworking tradespeople who rely on their tools to earn a living.”
The department said it was also working with police and industry on measures to tackle the resale of stolen goods.
Advice for tradespeople
Staffordshire Police recommends removing tools from vans overnight wherever possible.
Where equipment must be left inside a vehicle, owners are advised to mark it clearly with their name or company details, consider additional security such as lockable storage and park in secure, well lit locations.
The force also recommends keeping valuable equipment out of sight and ensuring vehicles are properly secured.
Further information is available through Staffordshire Police’s vehicle crime prevention advice.
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