Protect your tools – protect your business!

AFTER a spate of thefts of tools from vehicles and sheds in the area, Thames Valley Police have issued nine tips for keeping your tools safe:

Lock ‘em up!

It might seem obvious, but keeping your tools locked securely in a storage shed, or garage is a must-do. Thieves go for easy targets, and if yours isn’t easy, they might look elsewhere. We know that taking all your tools off site or unloading the van each day is a pain, but if it saves you losing your tool, then you win.

Image courtesy of romseyandvillages.co.uk/

If you must leave your tools on site or in your vehicle, securing a heavy duty tool box to the inside of your vehicle with a lock on the tool box will make it more difficult.

Secure your site

A badly secured site is an invitation for thieves. Ensure there are no gaps in fencing and that you have a decent padlock preferably secured to a locking plate to minimise bolt cutter leverage. Consider an alarm system, especially towards the end of builds when valuable goods have been stored.

Don’t leave your tools in a trailer or vehicle

This is making it too easy for thieves. You’ve even done the hard work of removing them off site, all they need to do is steal your car or trailer and drive away. Unload your vehicle each night, or store it securely in a garage that is alarmed.
If this is not possible, install a vehicle alarm. The more deterrents the better chance your tools have of staying yours.

Engrave / Mark your tools

Engraving your name, phone number or postcode into your tools may act as a deterrent to thieves by making your tools more difficult to sell. Engrave deep and engrave well to prevent it from being sanded or grinded off too easily. Another alternative is to us a permanent UV marker pen and write your details on the tools. It is invisible but could assist the police to identify any recovered stolen items. It is best to keep your markings consistent using the same mark for each tool.

Add a toolbox alarm and tracking device

Adding a toolbox alarm and clearly marking your toolbox as being alarmed will further deter thieves from stealing your kit, while a modern and relatively small GPS tracking devices will help track down your kit if it is stolen.

Do a regular stock take

It might sound boring and a waste of time but by doing a regular check of your tools and equipment regularly (ideally daily or weekly) you know exactly if and when a tool goes missing. You can also note any required tools or accessories before you need them meaning you save the time of dashing out to the hardware store mid-job!

Note your tools’ serial numbers and photograph them

If your tools do get stolen, having serial numbers and photos will help track them down, and prove they are yours if they are recovered. It’s not a big effort and could be the difference between getting your tools back or having them sitting on the shelf at a pawn shop. If you mark your tool by engraving them or UV marker, also make a note of what tools are marked.

Report thefts to the police

By reporting to the police any theft of tools and supplying images and serial numbers then police are able to cross check that information with any stolen goods recovered. By reporting it and providing evidence (pictures, serial numbers, receipts etc) that the tools are yours, you may get them back. Tools do get recovered, all is not lost, but it can be hard to identify where they are from if we do not have the full information from the owner.

Have insurance

Do not make the mistake of not insuring your tools, they are your daily business after all. Get a good insurance policy and make sure you read the policies fine print so you know exactly what your responsibilities are and the circumstances in which they might deny a claim.
The other steps you take such as taking a regular stock take, serial numbers and photographs should help with your claim, but there is no guarantee; read the fine print.

Contact us

For further information or advice in relation to Crime Prevention, please contact the Thame & Wheatley Neighbourhood Policing Team via email: ThameWatlingtonChinnorNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk Please note, this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report a crime or for urgent matters.

Alternatively, you can contact the local neighbourhood team by calling us on the police non-emergency number 101 or if it is an emergency and there is a crime in progress, then dial 999.