An annual increase in tool theft from UK vans has been revealed by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles research.
The manufacturer found that 28% of van drivers had fallen victim to the crime in 2024, up from 19% in 2023.
The survey, of 1,000 van drivers, found that the average value of the stolen tools rose by more than 40%, to £2,433, and that 27% of thefts were valued at £3,500 or above, compared with just 10% in 2023.
In addition, 86% of victims were forced to take unplanned downtime while they restocked their vans and repaired locks.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles head of product planning John Ricardo-Neto said: “Tool theft remains a huge issue for van drivers and businesses in the UK, and it’s concerning to see the number of incidences and the scale of their impact continuing to rise.
“We encourage van drivers to take extra precautions – via our theft prevention technologies, ensuring tools are always well secured and vehicles parked in well-lit, CCTV-monitored areas – so that tradespeople can focus on what really matters.”
