Trades United is organising a peaceful van rally on 3rd February 2025 in Westminster, London to draw attention to the issue of tool theft and the resale of stolen goods. Starting from Brent Cross and moving to Parliament Square, tradespeople from across the UK will demand stricter enforcement of existing theft laws, particularly concerning tool theft. This event follows the success of an initial van rally against tool theft on 3rd June 2024, which received widespread support and attention.
The Theft Act 1968 clearly outlines severe penalties for handling stolen goods, including up to 14 years of imprisonment upon conviction. However, Trades United, led by Shoaib Awan, argues that the lack of sufficient police funding and resources has hindered efficient enforcement. The campaign calls on the Government to take decisive action by:
- Increasing funding for law enforcement in particular specialist crime personnel and frontline officers
- Increasing the dates for last possession of stolen goods as a requirement to convict, as set out by the Theft Act 1968 Section 27 (3), from the last 12 months to the last 5 years
- Revising Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 to include all power tools or produce alternative legislation to cover the theft of Power Tools, e.g. harsher penalties for this crime to include heavy fines for establishments allowing the sale of stolen tools including but not limited to pawn shops, markets and car boot sales
- Considering the crime of tool theft as an aggravated offence
Trades United previously launched a petition (#659019) in April 2024, calling for the Government to address the escalating tool theft crisis by banning the sale of tools at car boots and markets. While the dissolution of Parliament on 30th May 2024 led to the petition’s closure, it garnered over 46,000 signatures, reflecting the widespread concern within the trade industry.
Campaign founder Shoaib Awan said: ‘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 these thieves and car boot sales have caused to their livelihoods. Tool theft numbers are rising year on year and not enough from the Government has been done 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.
‘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.’
