Tool Theft from Vans: The UK Numbers and How to Reduce the Risk

📅5 February 2026

⏱️7 min read

Tool theft from vans continues to hit UK tradespeople hard. For many sole traders, losing tools means losing days of work and income.

The latest UK figures

Survey data from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (2025) shows:

28% of van drivers reported tool theft in 2024 (up from 19% the year before).

The average value of stolen tools was £2,433, with 27% of incidents valued at £3,500 or more.

UK businesses face an estimated £3.5 billion annual cost from stolen tools.

86% of victims reported downtime, averaging 3.97 days; 20% lost more than a week.

Tools are often insured, but claims move faster when you can provide:

Serial numbers and photos

Receipts or proof of purchase

A clear inventory of what was stolen

Keep a digital inventory of tools with serial numbers and photos

Store receipts and insurance documents securely

Add QR labels to high-value equipment

Access everything instantly during a claim

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/tool-theft-from-increases-with-average-value-of-stolen-tools-up-40

https://news.cvshow.com/news/tool-theft-from-vans-on-the-rise-again

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