Tool theft: What do retailers think needs to be done?
After tradespeople from across the UK took to the streets of Westminster to protest the tool theft epidemic, we asked the KBB industry's retailers for their own opinions on this issue, and asked what they think can be done to bring an end to the problem
Speaking to installers on the ground at the tool theft rally, they suggested a whole host of possible solutions to the issue of tool theft. From tougher sentencing, heavier policing, changes to the way that tools are marked, and bringing an end to the sale of tools at boot sales and marketplaces.
However, there’s a slight misconception that tool theft is an issue that isn’t as pressing for retailers, especially if they sub-contract out their installation work to external installers. Tradespeople are a vital link to the end-user, who also hold considerable influence over consumer purchasing. In short: if it’s a problem for installers, it’s a problem for the wider industry too.
So, we asked a couple of the industry’s top retailers for their own thoughts on the matter…
Simon Taylor – Managing director at Simon Taylor Furniture
Have you had any personal experience with tool theft?
Yes, our business has had a few, one occasion three vans in one location broken into the same day. We had even had a van broken into on a client’s drive. Most of the time, they are carried out at night outside a fitter’s house or their drive.
Do you think the police take the issue of tool theft seriously enough right now?
I think they do as much as they can.
What could be done to help fix the situation, in your opinion?
Impose much heavier fines and sentences as a deterrent. The thieves should be named and shamed because they are stealing someone’s livelihood.
As someone who works in both retail and installation, do you think retailers understand enough about tool theft’s impact on installers?
It is unlikely that retailers understand enough about tool theft. However, It would soon get their attention if the fitter cannot finish their project, or may start to increase their install price because of additional costs incurred.
Do you think retailers with their own employed installers are more aware of tool theft because they have their own stake in the situation?
Definitely. They are the ones that have to put their hands in their pockets for the replacement tools, and not the fitter.
Do you think the government sees tool theft as a priority? Have you seen much change in the government’s attitude towards it over the last year?
I don’t. What should happen is that insurers should be encouraged to insure tradespeople’s tools. However, I know it can be very difficult to get insurance.
Simon also added:
From my understanding, insurance does not often automatically cover tool theft, and if it does, the excess can be prohibitively high.
Vans are alarmingly easy to break into, and sophisticated thieves can manage it in a matter of seconds. For instance, we parked a van in an area where three of our other vans had previously been broken into. We left the van empty, with the side and rear doors unlocked, but the thief didn’t bother checking. Instead, they simply punched a hole in the side of the van door.
Tool theft is one thing, but what a lot of people do not realise is the significant hassle and cost associated with replacing the stolen items, not to mention the repair costs for the van itself. On one occasion, we had three Mercedes vans that were broken into in the same area on the same day, with the thief taking everything. After we replaced the fitter’s hand and power tools and duly repaired the vans, we discovered months later that the thief had also stolen the spare wheels and cradles from underneath all three vans. This additional theft ended up costing my company a fortune. We didn’t file an insurance claim at the time because we had already made a claim for the tools, as I am insured. Filing a separate claim for the spare wheels would have significantly affected our future premiums.
We have investigated installing security locks as a deterrent. Ultimately, we decided against it. We felt that a thief determined enough to break in would likely resort to more destructive measures, such as cutting into the side of the van with a ‘can opener’ approach. The resulting damage, combined with the additional hire costs for a replacement van, would far exceed the value of the stolen tools. To mitigate the risk, we now use secure steel tool chests equipped with an alarm on all the doors. None of our vans have rear or side windows, and this way, the worst we suffer is a hole in the side of the van that needs repairing.
Phil Beechinor – Managing director at Alexander
Have you had any personal experience with tool theft?
We have personal experience with tool theft, probably 6 or 7 times over the last 30 years which probably could be classed as fortunate bearing in mind we have 14 sign written vans for our installers. We have on a couple of occasions had tools simply stolen from the clients driveway in broad daylight, I once had an occasion where a van pulled up outside a clients property and stole a chop saw in front of the carpenters eyes!
Do you think the police take the issue of tool theft seriously enough right now? What could be done to help fix the situation, in your opinion?
Its probably hard to police the actual theft as the thieves seem to be so brazen these days, In my opinion the police need to target the resale of the tools and clamp down on car boot sales and social media market places, this would then perhaps deter the thieves as they wouldn’t have such an easy route to market?
As someone who works in both retail and installation, do you think retailers understand enough about tool theft’s impact on installers?
Although we have been relatively fortunate ourselves, we are definitely aware that there is a loft of theft in the industry and our local area. I know lots of installers that have been victims, you only need to look on our community facebook page to see how common it is, the tool theft is just one part of the impact, the thieves usually damage the vehicle , the loss of earnings and obviously the cost of replacements.
Do you think retailers with their own employed installers are more aware of tool theft because they have their own stake in the situation?
Maybe? We do have policies in place with our employees, we ask that power tools are removed from the vans at night, due to the nature of our retail business, the tools can be left on site ( the clients property) overnight during the week on many occasions and at the weekend they tend to put them in their garages if they can, we also ask that they are careful where they leave their vans at night, we have also fitted addition security on all vehicles, although we have had vans broken into without tools on board and they have just damaged the vehicle.
Do you think the government sees tool theft as a priority? Have you seen much change in the government’s attitude towards it over the last year?
Probably not a priority, with everything else going on, obviously there is more awareness as its becoming more common and obviously the recent rally in London helps draw attention to the issue, They definitely need to make an example of the perpetrators with tougher punishments.