Tool and building material theft likely to rise in 2023
Is there anything worse than having an item that you rely on for work being stolen? We didn’t think so. As we go into 2023, the fear of having the tools you use for your job is even greater due to the current cost of living crisis that is currently plaguing the world. Many businesses are struggling to get by and so, the cost of replacing tools or materials will only make this a more difficult period for them.
Theft has always affected the day-to-day life of tradespeople with many tools being worth a fortune. This means that thieves can then sell the items for large amounts. But why is this likely to increase in 2023? This article will be able to help. Read on to find out why and what you can do to protect yourself from theft next year.
Tool and building material theft on the rise
Since March 2021 more than 31,000 tools have been stolen which amounts to one stolen every 17 minutes. This is around 2,500 more tools stolen than before the pandemic which shows just how fast this number is rising.
The main motive behind this theft is the value of them which criminals can get access to by stealing and selling them. It’s estimated that the tools stolen in the past year are worth around £80 million which is a huge amount up for grabs for criminals.
How does tool theft affect tradespeople
Tool theft can affect tradespeople in many ways including:
- Being out of pocket
- Delays on sight
- Scheduling headaches
How can you protect yourself?
These effects can be astronomical for tradespeople and their business, so there must be ways for them to stop their impressive materials and tools from being stolen. Fortunately, there are. Try these methods to protect tools from theft:
Insure your tools
If someone takes your tools then you should be out of pocket for it. Instead, get tools insurance, so that you can claim money back to replace stolen items.
Have tools and materials delivered to you when you need them
Did you know that there’s a service for having your materials and tools delivered to you when you need them? These companies will deliver the tools to you as and when you need them and then take them away after to be stored securely.
Improve security
Adding extra layers of security may be a good way to reduce theft too. Install security cameras to deter criminals from entering your sight or add more locks to prevent easy access to your site too. This should stop your tools from being stolen whilst you’re not at work.
