More Than 1 in 4 UK Van Drivers Suffered Tool Theft in 2024
Tool theft is on the rise again after new figures showed that more than one in four UK van drivers (28%) fell victim to the crime in 2024.
The data, compiled by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, showed this is a significant increase on the 19% who revealed they had been targeted in 2023.
The far-reaching effects of tool theft is left the industry a vast £3.5 billion bill in stolen equipment in 2024, as well as prompt businesses to experience a costly four days of downtime on average to compensate.
A survey of 1000 drivers by Volkswagen revealed that the value of stolen tools has risen by over 40%, averaging each business £2,433, while 27% say they had equipment worth more than £3,500 or higher taken from them.
With 36% of respondents identifying the ongoing cost of living crisis as a major concern when it comes to taking on unplanned work, the sharp rise in tool theft and the impact of having to cancel jobs as a result has had a huge effect.
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.”
