Tradesman Saver research has found that more than seven in 10 UK tradespeople are unaware of proposed legislation designed to tackle tool theft, despite strong support for tougher sentencing once the reforms are explained.
The insurance provider found that 71% of tradespeople had not heard of the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill, which is due to return to Parliament for its second reading. The Bill seeks to recognise the wider impact of tool theft on livelihoods by increasing the severity of sentencing.
After the proposed changes were explained, 52% of respondents said the legislation was a good idea and went far enough, while a further 41% described it as a positive step but said it should go further.
Tool theft remains a common experience across the trade workforce. The research found that 42% of UK tradespeople had already been a victim, rising to 51% among those aged 35 to 44.
Financial protection is uneven. Almost a third of respondents, at 32%, said they either did not have, or did not know whether they had, specific insurance cover for tool and equipment theft. Among victims, 58% said replacing stolen tools was their biggest concern after being targeted.
The impact can extend quickly from equipment loss into lost earnings and personal strain. Four in 10 respondents said tool theft had caused stress or anxiety, while 30% said they had lost work, jobs, or contracts as a result. Younger tradespeople were especially concerned, with 78% of those aged 25 to 34 believing they would be targeted at some point.
Dean Laming, managing director of Tradesman Saver, said: “Tool theft is not just about the value of the tools taken. For tradespeople, it can mean lost income, missed work and huge disruption to family life. It’s encouraging to see the issue being taken more seriously at Government level, but our research shows there is still a major awareness gap, both around the legislation and around the financial protection people have in place. Too many tradespeople are only finding out what their insurance does or doesn’t cover after the worst has happened.”
Tradespeople also want action beyond the proposed Bill. More than half of respondents, at 53%, wanted harsher penalties for repeat offenders, 52% wanted stronger penalties for organised tool theft gangs, and 45% wanted better enforcement to improve the chances of offenders being caught and prosecuted.
Amanda Martin MP, Portsmouth North and sponsor of the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill, said: “Tool theft is not petty crime; it is an attack on a tradesperson’s livelihood, their mental health and their family’s security.
“The reforms secured through the Sentencing Act 2026 mean courts must now consider the full picture of lost income, emotional distress, and business disruption, and that is real progress. But we’re not stopping there. I’m pushing for a national stolen tools database, tougher action on car boot sales and secondary markets, and setting up a lending library of tools to help victims.
“While that fight continues, tradespeople cannot afford to be left exposed. Having the right financial protection in place before the worst happens, not after, could make the difference between getting back to work and losing everything.”
For sole traders and small contractors, stolen tools can halt work immediately, particularly where equipment is specialised, expensive, or uninsured. The cost is not limited to replacement value, because missed jobs, delayed contracts, and interrupted cash flow can undermine a business that depends on daily access to kit.
Stronger sentencing may increase deterrence, although respondents also pointed to enforcement and resale channels as important parts of the problem. Van security, organised theft, online marketplaces, car boot sales, and the speed at which stolen tools can be moved all affect whether tradespeople can recover losses or return to work quickly.
The research was carried out in March 2026 and questioned 658 tradespeople across the UK for The Tool Theft Gap report.
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