Tool security warning as thefts increase in Surrey

Tradespeople and residents have been urged to mark their tools and boost security

Police in Surrey said "thousands" of tools have been recovered that could not be returned to their rightful owners because they were not marked.

It comes as figures obtained by Direct Line Insurance showed there were 207 reports of tool theft in the county last year, compared with 171 in 2022.

Tradespeople and homeowners have been urged by police to mark their tools where possible.

Vehicle security expert and former burglar Michael Fraser said tools should be kept in containers, van owners should photograph their equipment and take a note of serial numbers.

The data found that nearly £100m worth of equipment was stolen nationally from tradespeople in 2023.

Direct Line said a tool theft was reported every 12 minutes nationally, with tools most frequently stolen from vans.

What Van editor James Dallas told BBC Radio Surrey: "It's always been a problem, but I think it's a problem that is probably getting worse."

Mr Fraser said he was also not surprised by the jump in reports.

He urged tradespeople to add security to their vehicles.

"You've just got to make it difficult," he said.

"Anything that you do is a deterrent. It stops the opportunists."

'Rock bottom'

Tree surgeon Charlie Westcott, from Camberley, had about £30,000 worth of gear stolen in 2022.

A hole was cut in a metal container in a storage yard and his "whole livelihood" was taken, including his van.

He said the incident was "devastating" and left him at "rock bottom".

Mr Westcott, who received donations from the public following the theft, even contemplated leaving the trade because of the incident.

He said: "I don't think that they [thieves] actually realise the impact that they have on a small business owner when something like this happens."

Insp Matt Rogers, borough commander for Elmbridge, said the force was working with manufacturers and retailers to try and find the best solutions to tool thefts.