In a survey of 500 tradespeople who use vans for work, it was found that the majority face the constant risk of theft due to the high value of tools and equipment they carry. The poll revealed that 87 percent of tradespeople feel like targets for theft due to the worth of their van’s contents.
Many tradespeople have personally invested hundreds of pounds in tools and equipment, in addition to using their company’s resources. Over the past year, 35 percent of respondents reported attempted break-ins, with 22 percent actually having tools stolen. Each incident resulted in an average cost of over £750 to repair or replace the stolen items, according to a survey commissioned by Direct Line for Business.
Although 46 percent were able to recover at least some of the stolen tools, the issue remains a significant burden for tradespeople. To draw attention to this problem, the insurance company transformed a van into an office in a prominent location for tradespeople in Slough, aiming to highlight the disparity in sentencing laws.
Joe Shadbolt, a tradesman, shared the impact of tool theft on his livelihood, stating, “If my tools are stolen, I can’t work. This means I’m not earning, and if I’m not earning, I can’t pay bills or support my family properly.” Direct Line’s initiative of turning a van into an office serves to shed light on the profound effects of tool theft on tradespeople’s daily working lives.
The survey also revealed that 22 percent of respondents have been approached and offered tools they suspected to be stolen. However, 87 percent of tradespeople feel that the consequences for tool thieves are not strong enough to act as an effective deterrent, according to data from OnePoll.
A spokesperson from Direct Line for Business emphasized the severity of van theft for tradespeople, with 35 percent reporting attempted break-ins in the past year. They explained that theft from vans is viewed by some as a low-risk crime with a high potential for reward. The high-value items carried in tradespeople’s vans are vulnerable, and the punishment for thieves, if caught, is often less severe compared to theft from other settings such as an office.
Direct Line for Business is committed to raising awareness of this issue and advocating for tradespeople across the UK who have fallen victim to theft. They recognize that for tradespeople, a van is not merely a mode of transportation but also their workspace where they handle calls, have meals, and complete paperwork. By addressing the problem of tool theft, they aim to support tradespeople and protect their livelihoods.