Trades United, a campaign group dedicated to protecting tradespeople from tool theft, is once again taking action to address this pervasive issue. On Monday, 3rd February 2025, a van rally will be held in Westminster, starting at 11:00 AM from Brent Cross and arriving at Parliament Square by 11:45-12:00 PM.
This demonstration aims to draw attention to the ongoing problem of tool theft and the resale of stolen goods. Tradespeople from all over the UK will unite in London, demanding stricter enforcement of existing theft laws, particularly concerning tool theft.
The rally, which follows the success of a previous event on 3rd June 2024, hopes to amplify the call for stronger deterrents against thieves and more effective measures to combat the sale of stolen tools.
Participants will stage a ‘go-slow’ convoy in Westminster, driving through the area for two hours to raise awareness. The previous rally gained significant traction within the trade community, leading to partnerships with organizations such as SelectaDNA and the Metropolitan Police. These partnerships have resulted in mass tool-marking events to assist in returning stolen tools to their rightful owners and convicting offenders.
Trades United, led by Shoaib Awan, launched a petition (#659019) in April 2024, calling on the government to address the escalating tool theft crisis by banning the sale of tools at car boots and markets. Although the petition was closed due to the dissolution of Parliament on 30th May 2024, it garnered over 46,000 signatures, highlighting the widespread concern within the trade industry. Awan continues to encourage support for this critical cause and urges MPs and their parties to prioritize this issue.
Trades United is seeking to hold the government accountable for protecting tradespeople and ensuring the enforcement of laws designed to safeguard the broader community. With growing industry support, this rally aims to compel policymakers to address the root causes of tool theft and deliver the urgent reforms required.
The Theft Act 1968 clearly outlines severe penalties for handling stolen goods, including up to 14 years of imprisonment upon conviction. However, the lack of sufficient police funding and resources has hindered effective enforcement, leaving tradespeople vulnerable to escalating theft.
Trades United is calling on the government to take decisive action by increasing funding for law enforcement, particularly for specialist crime personnel and frontline officers, with a focus on motor vehicle crimes such as theft from and theft of. This will enable the police to enforce existing laws efficiently and effectively.
Additionally, Trades United is calling for a revision of the Theft Act 1968 Section 27 (3) a/b, handling stolen goods, which is currently a straight charge if there is a previous conviction for theft in the last 5 years and the accused has been found to be in possession of stolen goods in the last 12 months. This should be updated to 5 years since a previous conviction and found to have been handling stolen goods in the last 5 years to facilitate charging repeat criminals more effectively.
Furthermore, Trades United is urging the government to revise the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 to include all power tools or produce alternative legislation to cover the theft of power tools. They also propose that tool theft be considered an aggravated offense.
Tradespeople and supporters are encouraged to participate in this critical event and make their voices heard. Together, we can advocate for the protection of livelihoods and demand meaningful change.
Founder of Trades United, Shoaib Awan, stated, “On the 3rd February 2025, I will bring tradespeople across the country together once again at Parliament Square for the new Government to see the distress thieves have caused to their livelihoods. Tool theft numbers are rising year on year, and not enough is being done by the Government to protect the trades. A crime reference number is not acceptable. We don’t want policies that don’t work; we need strict enforcement and a crackdown operation with immediate effect.”
Awan continued, “It’s distressing how widespread tool theft has become, impacting not only livelihoods but also mental well-being and family stability. The lack of effective intervention from law enforcement only exacerbates the problem. Businesses suffer not only from the loss of tools but also from the subsequent financial burdens, such as increased insurance costs and repairs. It’s essential for communities, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies to work together to address this epidemic and provide support for those affected.”
