With members of affected trades demanding tougher laws against van break-ins, tool manufacturer Talon showed its support too, standing shoulder to shoulder with those calling for action.
According to industry reports, 44,514 tool thefts were reported in 2023, one every 12 minutes, and it’s costing tradespeople an estimated £82 million in lost jobs. The peaceful demonstration, organised by Shoaib Awan of Trades United, brought together frustrated electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other trades, all calling on the Government to introduce harsher penalties for tool theft.
Destroying livelihoods
A heating engineer, Shoaib knows the devastating impact first-hand after thieves stole £8,500 worth of tools from his van. “These are our offices,” he told reporters. “We work from them. It’s no longer acceptable. They need to understand the implications – mentally and financially – it has on us. The vans get broken into and we’re out of work because we’ve lost our tools. We’ve lost our vans.”
Talon’s Annette Murphy aka ‘Chatty Netty’ on social, and Marketing Manager Mike Morris stood in solidarity with the protesters, supporting the push for real action and the message that enough is enough.
“Tool theft doesn’t just hit wallets – it destroys livelihoods,” says Mike. “Obviously it takes a huge financial toll, but it takes a huge mental toll too. Construction workers are already four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average and the stress of losing vital equipment only adds to the pressure.
“What is really positive is that despite the traffic jams and inconvenience the protest caused, local people and even tourists were incredibly supportive of the campaign.”
Labour MP Amanda Martin has tabled the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill, which proposes recognising tool theft as causing “significant additional harm” to victims.
Campaigners hope this will finally see stronger sentencing guidelines introduced as the message from the protest is clear – tradespeople need protection and they need it now.
Have you been affected by the increase in van break-ins or tool theft? Please share your thoughts: liz@oilistaller.co.uk
Image credit: Talon
