‘Tool theft is an epidemic’ – Farmers warned following surge in reports

The issue of thieves targeting tools continues to blight not just tradespeople and the construction industry, but also rural communities and farmers who regularly use and stock the equipment. 

Last year, NFU Mutual revealed that rural crime cost the UK economy an estimated £44.1 million in 2024, with crimes ranging from theft of livestock to thieves stealing essential agricultural equipment and tools. 

Further to this, specific research from NFU Mutual into tool theft shows that just shy of two-thirds of tradespeople have fallen victim in the last 12 months, with theft from a site (36%), equipment stolen from vehicles (32%), taking of a vehicle (12%) and theft from a business premises (11%) being most common. 

Zoe Knight, head of commercial at NFU Mutual, said: “Tool theft is an epidemic that continues to cause major issues and distress to hard-working farmers and tradespeople up and down the country. 

“Workers rely heavily on their tools and vehicles for their jobs, so it is vital they have protection and security in place. Tougher laws on tool theft would help deter thieves and tackle this growing issue.” 

With rural communities impacted just as much as those in the trades industry, a warning has been shared to remind farmers to protect equipment and put measures in place in order to deter thieves in the first instance. 

Mark your tools

Andrew Huddleston KPM, head of the National Rural Crime Unit & National Construction & Agri Theft Team, said: “Theft of tools in our rural areas is a significant issue, and many farmers will have had or know of someone who has suffered this crime. 

“Alongside burglaries, it is also not uncommon when a quad bike or tractor is stolen for tools to be grabbed as well. The likes of chainsaws, drills, grinders or stone cutters are favourites. 
 
“Whilst a significant amount of machinery is recovered every year, tools very rarely are, and a fundamental cause of this is the extremely poor identity marking by manufacturers on even high-value tools.  

“Over the last two years, the National Rural Crime Unit and the National Police Chiefs’ Council tool theft lead have asked manufacturers and the government to help farmers and the police by improving marking on tools and bringing in legislation.” 
 
The National Rural Crime Unit, majorly funded by NFU Mutual, has also issued guidance to the rural community in order to try and best protect the tools they have. 
 
Mr Huddleston added: “Owners marking their tools can help, but I would also insist that protecting our rural communities, farms, equipment and tools starts long before this. Basic security measures do help, so locks, lights, CCTV and the old farm dog in the yard are still as good a deterrent as they always were.  

“I advise people to buy machinery that is secure by design and doesn’t use a universal key and to consider tracking technology and marking like the industry’s CESAR scheme. But the most significant impact you can make is by being part of your local rural watch scheme. This has proven time and again to make the area you live in more hostile for criminals.” 

Read more rural crime news.