Tool Theft & Security
Protecting your tools and van - security, serial registration, reporting theft and insurance claims.
2 guides in this section
In partnership with Stolen Tools UK
Campaigning for better protection and real consequences
A stolen trailer or a punched-out van lock costs the same thing on either side of the Atlantic: the tools, the deductible, and the week of work you cannot do without them. This section was put together with Frankie and the team at Stolen Tools UK, who have campaigned on it for years. Whether you have been hit already or you want to make sure you are not next, start here.
I'm a tradesman and the founder of Stolen Tools UK, a platform dedicated to raising awareness about tool theft. After losing £4,000 worth of tools in 2022, an experience that impacted my business and my livelihood, I made it my mission to help other tradespeople protect themselves. Through Stolen Tools UK, I share practical advice on van security, build community support and campaign for change at both local and national levels. I now speak at events across the UK, giving tradespeople a voice and leading the fight against tool theft.
Frankie Williams, Founder of Stolen Tools UK / The Window Restorer
Guides in this section
Stop your tools getting stolen (and what to do if they are)
Two things save your tools: a record that proves they are yours (serial numbers and photos, logged before anything goes missing), and making your site and...
Buying second-hand tools without buying somebody's stolen ones
Every stolen tool has a buyer. The checks that keep you in the honest part of the used-tool market, what you risk if you get it wrong, and why serial numbers matter to both sides.