Latest news with #tooltheft
BBC News
13-05-2025
- BBC News
Sussex Police to hand out tool marking kits to tradespeople
Hundreds of tool marking kits which use DNA tracking technology will be handed out to tradespeople in Sussex to help tackle tool 500 kits, which use an invisible DNA solution to mark tools and machinery, will be given out to people in Brighton in a bid to reduce the prolific rural scheme had previously been used to protect farm machinery but will now be rolled out after tradespeople across the South East called for tougher penalties after a spate of reported Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said the kits were an "extra layer of protection acting as a powerful deterrent against theft". Ms Bourne added: "The kits make stolen tools traceable and harder for criminals to profit in re-seller markets."For traders, their tools can be their livelihoods, they often cost thousands of pounds to replace and theft of equipment can leave people out of work."Kits used in the scheme work by providing an invisible DNA gel which can be used to mark property such as tools and gel dries clear and then can only be identified through ultraviolet light and specialist microscopes, a PCC spokesperson analysed, the gel marking can then be used to help return the tools to their rightful owners if they are total, 500 of the kits have been funded by the PCC's office in partnership with tradespeople website Checkatrade.A report by trade publication On The Tools found four in five tradespeople in the UK that were surveyed in the report had experienced tool often worth thousands of pounds can be stolen from the back of tradespeople's vans, wreaking havoc on traders who are then out of pocket and unable to work.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
DNA marking kits handed out to tackle tool theft
Hundreds of tool marking kits which use DNA tracking technology will be handed out to tradespeople in Sussex to help tackle tool thefts. About 500 kits, which use an invisible DNA solution to mark tools and machinery, will be given out to people in Brighton in a bid to reduce the prolific rural crime. The scheme had previously been used to protect farm machinery but will now be rolled out after tradespeople across the South East called for tougher penalties after a spate of reported crimes. Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said the kits were an "extra layer of protection acting as a powerful deterrent against theft". Ms Bourne added: "The kits make stolen tools traceable and harder for criminals to profit in re-seller markets. "For traders, their tools can be their livelihoods, they often cost thousands of pounds to replace and theft of equipment can leave people out of work." Kits used in the scheme work by providing an invisible DNA gel which can be used to mark property such as tools and machinery. The gel dries clear and then can only be identified through ultraviolet light and specialist microscopes, a PCC spokesperson added. When analysed, the gel marking can then be used to help return the tools to their rightful owners if they are stolen. In total, 500 of the kits have been funded by the PCC's office in partnership with tradespeople website Checkatrade. A report by trade publication On The Tools found four in five tradespeople in the UK that were surveyed in the report had experienced tool theft. Tools often worth thousands of pounds can be stolen from the back of tradespeople's vans, wreaking havoc on traders who are then out of pocket and unable to work. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. BBC Sounds: Counting the cost of tool theft DNA scheme on farm machinery cuts theft - report Tradespeople demand fix for tool theft 'plague' Sussex Police
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Thieves who nick tradesmen's tools should face harsh penalties, says MP
THIEVES who nick tradesmen's tools should face harsher penalties, a Tory MP says. Matt Vickers said the scourge of equipment theft has reached 'crisis levels'. 3 He is putting forward amendments to strengthen Labour's Crime and Policing Bill. It includes counting tool theft as an aggravating factor. This means stricter sentences for criminals who rob tradesmen. He is also calling for fines to reflect the cost of replacing stolen goods, repairing damage and compensating victims for lost income. Trading Standards would have to introduce enforcement plans to clamp down on sales at car boots and market stalls. The shadow policing minister told the Sun on Sunday: 'This crime is through the roof. This has a real harm on peoples' lives. 'Tradesmen know the heartache for them and their families when they can't go to work. 'Then they go down to a car boot sale and see someone in broad daylight selling vast quantities of tools.' Mr Vickers also revealed his dad and brother - who are both builders - have been targeted. He said figures show self-employed tradespeople are 38 per cent more likely than employed counterparts to fall victim to this type of crime. And only one per cent of stolen tools are ever recovered. Meanwhile, victims face an average cost of £2,730 to replace stolen tools, £1,320 in vehicle or property repairs, and £1,900 in lost work and business disruption. Thief confronted by victim who uses the tools stolen from his van to smash up getaway car 3
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Thieves who nick tradesmen's tools should face harsh penalties, MP says
THIEVES who nick tradesmen's tools should face harsher penalties, a Tory MP says. Matt Vickers said the scourge of equipment theft has reached 'crisis levels'. 3 3 He is putting forward amendments to strengthen Labour's Crime and Policing Bill. It includes counting tool theft as an aggravating factor. This means stricter sentences for criminals who rob tradesmen. He is also calling for fines to reflect the cost of replacing stolen goods, repairing damage and compensating victims for lost income. Trading Standards would have to introduce enforcement plans to clamp down on sales at car boots and market stalls. The shadow policing minister told the Sun on Sunday: 'This crime is through the roof. This has a real harm on peoples' lives. 'Tradesmen know the heartache for them and their families when they can't go to work. 'Then they go down to a car boot sale and see someone in broad daylight selling vast quantities of tools.' Mr Vickers also revealed his dad and brother - who are both builders - have been targeted. 3 He said figures show self-employed tradespeople are 38 per cent more likely than employed counterparts to fall victim to this type of crime. And only one per cent of stolen tools are ever recovered. Meanwhile, victims face an average cost of £2,730 to replace stolen tools, £1,320 in vehicle or property repairs, and £1,900 in lost work and business disruption.
