Tool theft from UK van drivers has soared over the past year, with more than one in four (28%) falling victim to the crime in 2024.
That's according to the latest data in a survery conducted by Volkswagen, where they found that thefts were up from 19% in 2023.
VW estimates that the rise in incidents has left UK businesses facing a £3.5 billion bill in stolen equipment this year alone.
The study of 1,000 van owners revealed that the average value of stolen tools rose by over 40%, reaching £2,433 per incident, while more than a quarter (27%) of thefts involved losses of £3,500 or more. That's almost triple the rate recorded the year before.
The financial impact is only part of the problem. The majority of victims (86%) reported suffering unplanned downtime, averaging nearly four days off work as they replaced tools and repaired vehicle damage.
One in five (20%) said they were unable to work for over a week, compared to just 1.9 days of downtime in 2023. The survey and the dramatic increases in costs, highlights the growing disruption the crime is causing to tradespeople and small businesses.
The survey also found that 36% of van drivers named the cost of living crisis as a major source of stress, compounding the pressure caused by rising tool thefts.
Many victims also face higher insurance premiums after making claims, pushing costs even higher.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said it is working with drivers to help improve security and protect their livelihoods. The company’s new Transporter van, which recently received the Euro NCAP Platinum Award for safety, can be equipped with a range of anti-theft features, including an alarm system with interior monitoring, towing protection and a back-up horn. When triggered, the system activates the horn and hazard lights to draw attention.
John Ricardo-Neto, gead of productplanning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said the latest figures show how urgently the issue needs to be addressed.
“Tool theft remains a huge issue for van drivers and businesses in the UK, and it’s concerning to see the number of incidences and the scale of their impact continuing to rise,” he said.
“We encourage van drivers to take extra precautions, using our theft prevention technologies, securing tools carefully, and parking in well-lit, CCTV-monitored areas, so that tradespeople can focus on what really matters.”
