Tim Trollope, Van Vault Category Manager
Van Vault is just one of the companies now putting its weight behind a campaign to tackle tool van tool theft. Plumber Peter Booth launched a petition last year aiming to get the issue of van theft taken more seriously. His #noVANber social media campaign calls on the Government to look at increasing ways to protect tradespeople from van tool theft.
The campaign has garnered huge support, with the online petition now having over 38,800 signatures. Once 10,000 signatures were achieved the Government responded to the petition however if it hits 100,000 it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Recent reports have claimed that a van is broken into and tools stolen every 23 minutes in the UK, with an average of 62 thefts per day. This is reflected in data that shows that tool theft claims have increased by over 15 per cent and that the value of claims themselves have risen too, now averaging around £1,692.00
Tool theft is plaguing many sectors, the construction industry specifically has recently reported that more than half of builders in the UK have had their tools stolen, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Deborah Hunt, Marketing Manager at Van Vault comments “Peter has done an excellent job of raising this as an issue and we’re hoping that by adding our support we, together with other leading brands, can take the campaign to the next level to an even wider audience.”
Peter Booth added: “I got tired of seeing photos and stories from tradespeople who had their vans targeted and tools stolen, stopping them from working. I didn’t think it was fair. I wanted to gather support using social media influence to try and get the Government to look at possible ways to help make this crime less profitable for the culprits.”
Click here to sign the petition.
