In February this year, gas engineer Shoaib Awan, better known as The Gas Expert on social media, led hundreds of tradespeople in a van rally to Westminster. The goal: to force tool theft onto the national agenda. With banners, convoys and speeches, the protest made headlines and showed just how urgently the industry wants action.
According to Van Watch, tradespeople are 13 times more likely to have their van broken into than their home and the average cost of stolen tools is over £2,200.60. But that doesn’t account for the hidden cost of losing out on jobs or the impact on mental health; research shows construction workers are four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average and financial strain is a major contributor.
Call for action
With a second reading of the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill due on 4 July, the fight against tool theft is gaining momentum. But in the meantime, Shoaib, a victim of tool theft himself, is determined to keep the issue in the spotlight and not let it fall off the agenda. Since the Westminster rally, he’s been working directly with police forces, Trading Standards and MPs to keep up the pressure and get results – he wants mandatory minimum sentencing for offenders, a dedicated police task force to deal with tool theft and better regulation of second-hand sales.
Support is also growing from within the industry itself where manufacturers like Talon have stepped up to stand alongside the trade in calling for reform, sending a clear message that this is an issue affecting the whole industry.
“Tool theft has a devastating impact on tradespeople every day,” says Mike Morris, Marketing Manager at Talon. “It’s not just lost tools, it’s lost work, lost income and huge stress. We feel it’s important to stand alongside the trade and support this campaign. Manufacturers like us have a responsibility to help push for real change.”
Stronger together
In the run-up to the bill’s next stage, Shoaib is urging everyone in the industry to stay active, whether that’s sharing personal stories online, contacting local MPs or reporting anything suspicious.
And if the worst does happen, Shoaib says solidarity matters most. “Support others in the community when theft happens,” he urges, “whether it’s lending tools or helping raise awareness. We’re stronger together.”
Image supplied by Talon