“It is not just about recording the crime and being able to provide people with a crime number so they can claim on their insurance. It is also understanding where these crimes are taking place,” said superintendent, Dave Pester, Greater Manchester Police.

“We build a crime pattern analysis over time, it is looking at the MO, the way in which the thieves are stealing them, but also recording the property details as well,” he added.

According to Pester, who was appearing on The Clive Holland Show, as part of Anti-Tool Theft Week, tradespeople need to do more to reduce the risk of tool theft. Top of the list is removing tools from vans at the end of the day.

Despite growing awareness to tool theft, recent market research showed that 56% of tradespeople often leave tools in vans overnight.

Tradespeople also need to create a detailed inventory of their equipment, including the serial numbers of all tools. Without ‘specific’ information on what has been taken further reduces the chances of stolen tools being recovered.

Recent information from Comparethemarket, estimates that just 1% of stolen tools are recovered.

“Time and time again, we investigate crimes and record them, but we don’t have specific details to be able to identify them [the tools] if they are recovered,” explained Pester.

“We ask people to ‘property mark’ the tools wherever possible,” he added.

Pester also advised tradespeople to invest in additional locks on vans and storage areas that are holding tools. He also suggested installing CCTV.

“Every one of these steps will make it a little less attractive for the ‘would-be’ thief,” said Pester.