Tool thefts from vans costs businesses £3.5bn
Tool thefts from vans is on the increase with more than a quarter of van drivers being targeted in 2024.
According to a new survey from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, 28% of respondents said they had fallen victim to the crime in 2024 compared to just 19% the year before.
The survey of 1,000 van drivers also revealed that the value of stolen tools rose by 40% to an average of £2,433, with 27% of incidences involving the theft of tools valued at over £3,500.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles now estimates that UK businesses face a £3.5bn bill in stolen equipment in 2024.
In addition to the expense of replacing the tools, 86% of van drivers said they had to take unplanned time of work while restocking and repairing locks, with the average time missed recorded at just under four days.
A huge issue
John Ricardo-Neto, head of product planning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “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.
“We encourage van drivers to take extra precautions – via our theft prevention technologies, ensuring tools are always well secured and vehicles parked in well-lit, CCTV-monitored areas, so that tradespeople can focus on what really matters.”
