// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Traders' tools stolen every 20 minutes in UK
Lincolnshire Police raided the homes of a rural gang behind a wave of tool thefts
Traders' tools worth thousands of pounds were stolen somewhere in the UK every 20 minutes last year, figures show.
At least 26,164 tool thefts were recorded in 2025, based on responses from 30 police forces who shared data. The true figure is likely to be higher as a further 15 forces could not respond.
Gangs and "chancers" are behind the crimes, according to Labour MP Amanda Martin, who is calling for her government to do more to help.
The Home Office said it was "working with the police to tackle and prevent tool theft to protect more hardworking tradespeople", including increasing neighbourhood policing, investing in police and working with industry and AI to tackle the sale of stolen goods.
Lulzim Pjetri owns Alliance Refrigeration Group, a commercial refrigeration business in Aston, Birmingham, from which tools were stolen six times in a year.
On one occasion, thieves broke into a parked van while two staff sat in its cab eating their lunch.
Those responsible were not wearing masks, held up crowbars and told the workers it was not worth them trying to stop it, Pjetri said.
Pjetri said: "Unless they choke the second-hand tool market, this problem will always be there."
Lulzim Pjetri says the "constant theft" is making him consider leaving the UK