Tradies need to secure their tools after more than 25,000 were stolen across Queensland in 12 months, police say.
Amid a rise in thefts, Queensland Police are helping tradies, contractors and other owners to keep their tools safe by helping them identify the items.
The most regularly stolen include hand, household power, trade equipment and commercial power tools, police say.
Officer-in-Charge of North Brisbane District Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Senior Sergeant Ken Rogers says a plan is needed.
“We know for our tradies and contractors, a stolen drill or saw isn’t just a missing item; it can mean a day’s work lost, jobs pushed back and reputation with clients,” he says.
“Most offenders are opportunistic. We’ve found that engravings, visible locks and alarms make a big difference in deterring theft.”
STOLEN TOOLS RECOVERED
In June, small business owner Michael Brookes-Jones’s vehicle was broken into and his tools taken.
But he had recorded their serial numbers which he gave to police. When the thieves tried to sell the tools, police recovered most of them.
He says that that record was a game-changer.
“When I got the call from police that my tools had been located and I could collect them – I was ecstatic,” Brookes-Jones says.
“It would have been a huge financial hit to replace every piece stolen. I am thankful that I had been proactive in recording the information and was able to provide the numbers.”
He has now engraved his details on all of his tools and installed tracking devices.
“It gives me piece of mind to know that if something like this happens again, police will have no trouble getting them back to me.”
Despite police efforts, only 1283 tools were reunited with their owners in the state in the last financial year.
PROTECTING YOUR TOOLS
Lock them up: Keep them out of sight or locked up. If storing them in a vehicle, use a fixed locked toolbox with visible locks.
Mark them with unique identification details and record them: Marking and engraving them with names or licence details deters theft as it makes them harder to resell and easier for police to return. Record details such as the make and model of the tools and take photos for easy identification if stolen.
Secure your work vehicle(s): Always lock vehicles and secure all windows including the sunroof when it is unattended. Park vehicles and trailers off the street, in well-lit areas or in places covered by CCTV.
Assess your security: Consider installing an anti-theft audible alarm system to storage compartments, toolboxes and trailers; install CCTV to monitor where tools are stored, and hide trackers in valuable items.
Look out for suspicious behaviour: At home or on the job site, watch out for suspicious behaviour like people loitering around sites or vehicles. If you notice anything, make a record of it and report it.
If your tools have been stolen, report it to police immediately via the stolen property form at police.qld.gov.au or contact PoliceLink on 131 444.
Report the theft to police directly; social media not an official platform to report crime.
If you are the victim of tool theft, please report the matter directly to police and don’t use social media.
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