Almost one tool theft a day recorded across Northamptonshire as scale of crime revealed
Almost one tool theft a day was recorded across Northamptonshire last year, new figures have revealed, as police warn that organised criminal gangs are targeting tradespeople across the country.
Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests by insurer Aviva shows Northamptonshire Police recorded 358 tool thefts during the 2025 calendar year, highlighting the threat faced by builders, plumbers and other workers who depend on equipment.
The figures, shared with the BBC Shared Data Unit, cover the county, rather than providing a separate breakdown for West Northamptonshire.
March saw the highest number of recorded offences locally, with 43, followed by April with 41. December had the fewest, at 16.
Nationally, at least 26,164 tool thefts were recorded during the year, equivalent to one every 20 minutes. However, the true total is likely to be higher because only 30 of the UK's 45 police forces supplied figures.
The impact can extend beyond replacing stolen equipment, with tradespeople potentially losing income while unable to work.
Direct Line for Business said the average value of a tool theft insurance claim in 2025 was £4,206.60.
Sergeant Dave Catlow, seconded from the Metropolitan Police to the National Business Crime Centre, is overseeing efforts to tackle the problem.
He said: “It's a huge, huge problem. We are seeing organised criminal groups working the tool theft routes and seeing displacement as well when [police] activity is going on.”
He said stolen equipment was being moved around Britain and overseas for resale, while police were also targeting sales of suspected stolen tools at car boot sales.
Gareth Powley, a senior technical underwriter at Aviva and Direct Line for Business, urged tradespeople to check their insurance cover and consider marking equipment to help establish ownership if it is stolen.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are working with the police to tackle and prevent tool theft to protect more hardworking tradespeople who rely on their tools to earn a living.”
The department said it was also working with industry to disrupt the resale of stolen goods, including through online marketplaces.