Van Watch
Mission
Van Watch is a partnership of van-based workers, industry leaders, trade representatives, insurers, security product manufacturers and police and crime agencies.
Did you know you are 13 times more likely to have your van broken into than your home? It is time to take action and call for a unified effort to drive down tool crime.
Join Van Watch for FREE and get
- Access to our free tool loan service
- Regular updates about our campaign
- Tips to protect yourself and your trade.
- Free tool marking kit if you have been victim of tool theft.
Borrow trade tools in an emergency
One of our supporter organisations, Williams Plumbing Supplies runs a Tool Angels scheme and they will do their best to loan replacement tools to plumbers who have suffered tool theft from their van.
Tool theft is a huge everyday issue for Tradespeople, with one insurer estimating that seventy-eight percent of tradespeople have had their tools stolen.
We believe that working together is the best way of making an impact on this crime and the harm caused by it. Whether you’re a van driver, a business in an associated industry, a charity, or a public body, we invite you to join us in our mission to drive down tool crime.
Williams, Manchester
Williams, Manchester
Williams, Manchester
Williams, Manchester
Williams, Manchester
Williams, Manchester
Williams, Manchester
Williams, Manchester
Williams, Manchester
Van Watch Explained
Make the connection
Break the connection
What can I do?
It is estimated that between a third and half of all acquisitive crime – like theft from vehicles – is drug-related. Stealing tools from a van can seem like a relatively easy way to make fast cash for thieves. However this is only the case if there is an active market of people willing to buy stolen tools.
A recent White Paper, ‘On the Tools 2022‘ suggests that 23% of consumers and 19% of tradespeople had bought second-hand or refurbished tools. These were reported to be purchased from friends and family contacts, eBay, Facebook Market Place and local car boot sales. However, with less than 15% of tools being marked up, it is very difficult to prevent stolen tools from being identified as being sold from these outlets.
We work with partner organisations, including local councils and the Police to try to reduce the opportunities for the onward sale of stolen tools. We encourage tradespeople to only purchase refurbished tools from reputable suppliers when not looking to purchase brand-new tools.
You're marked
Marking your tools makes it harder for criminals to sell them and also increases the likelihood of the police being able to detect tool theft and prosecute criminals. Showing them that your tools are marked might make them think twice about targeting your van. There are a number of great value, high-quality tool marking products out there and we offer free kits to victims of tool crime.
Van Watch News
Insurance comparison chart
Good quality tool insurance is your defence of last resort against tool theft. Slightly over half of tradespeople have no tool insurance. Of those that
Van Watch Survey Results
In 2022, Van Watch undertook two surveys into the frequency and impact of tool theft. In one survey, 2,388 respondents from a wide range of
Tool Theft – Is this justice?
So why is it that three-quarters of tool thieves get away with non-custodial sentences when they finally come to court, and what can be done
