Full Breakdown
Tool Theft in Avon and Somerset: One of the UK’s Lowest Recorded Totals
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Findings
In 2025 Avon and Somerset Police recorded 81 tool-theft offences, placing the force among the four lowest totals reported to the national investigation. By contrast, the Metropolitan Police logged 10,718 offences, while West Yorkshire Police and Police Scotland reported 2,194 and 3,252 respectively. The dataset, compiled from Freedom of Information requests to 30 police forces, shows more than 26,000 tool-theft incidents across the UK in 2025 – roughly one every 20 minutes. Within the Avon and Somerset area, February and April each saw 13 offences, June recorded nine, and August had only one.
02
Context and National Scale
The figures were supplied by insurer Aviva (via Direct Line for Business) and shared with the BBC Shared Data Unit. Differences in population, geography and recording practices mean raw totals cannot be used as a direct risk ranking. Four forces—City of London Police, North Wales Police (seven each), Suffolk and Derbyshire (62)—recorded fewer offences than Avon and Somerset. Fifteen forces were unable to provide data, highlighting inconsistencies in how tool-theft is recorded nationwide.
03
Impact on Tradespeople
Tool theft disrupts small businesses beyond the replacement cost. The average insurance claim in 2025 was £4,206 (Direct Line for Business), up from £3,314.87 in 2021. Claims reflect not only the value of stolen equipment but also lost work, cancelled jobs and customer disruption. Organized criminal groups are responsible for a large proportion of offences nationally, moving stolen tools around the UK for resale and exporting them abroad.
04
Official Responses
- Gareth Powley, senior technical underwriter at Aviva and Direct Line for Business, emphasized that each theft “disrupts business” and that tools are “far more than just equipment.”
- The Home Office announced collaboration with police and industry to curb resale of stolen tools, calling for tighter controls on the second-hand market and noting that victims lose business, not just equipment.
- Sergeant Dave Catlow, overseeing the National Business Crime Centre’s tool-theft work, identified organised criminal groups as a major driver of the problem.
- Direct Line for Business issued seasonal safety tips, urging tradespeople to store tools off-site overnight, use alarms and immobilisers, and maintain detailed inventories.
05
Verbatim Quotes
- “Every time tools are stolen, it's a disruption to their business. It's not just about the tools.” — Somerset. Gareth Powley, a senior technical underwriter at Aviva and Direct Line for Business
- “And the value of the theft isn't just about the cost of replacing the tools, is it? You're losing business.” — The Home Office
- “For tradespeople, tools are far more than just equipment. They are their livelihood. Having tools stolen can be devastating, leading not only to the cost of replacement, but also lost work, cancelled jobs and disruption for customers.” — Senior Technical Underwriting Manager