Video: Lincoln tradespeople warned after more than 50 tool thefts in last month

Lincolnshire Police today held an event in Lincoln to give advice to tradespeople after over 50 tool thefts across the county in the last month.

Lincolnshire Police pitched up at Buildbase on Pelham Road on Wednesday, October 4 to give security tips and advice on products to help protect victims of tool thefts.

Between August 1 and September 12, 30 tool thefts were reported in Lincoln and West Lindsey, with a further 20 more in North and South Kesteven.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Tips to keep tools safe:

• Remove all tools when the van is left overnight
• Consider fitting a tool safe and secure it with good quality locks.
• Ensure the van is locked and windows shut whenever it is left unattended. Keep all possessions out of sight – don’t leave jackets, sat navs etc on show.
• Park your van close to a building or hedge to restrict access.
• Whenever possible park in a lit area that is covered by CCTV. If your van is older, consider fitting new locks that are more difficult to compromise
• Fit an alarm. Lincolnshire Police recommend products that are
• Thatcham/Secured by Design accredited. However, a small stand alone PIR shed type alarm with texting facility or personal attack alarm when triggered can be very loud, act as a deterrent and let you know that your vehicle has been entered
• Mark the items of property/tools that are stored in the van. Ideally mark them overtly with paint pens and then seal down the marking with a clear lacquer spray. Mark property with the name of your company, the postcode, house or building number or name. Items that are overtly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on.
• Take photographs of items of value, make a note of serial numbers and consider registering with the free site www.Immobilise.com

Christopher Oliver, whose van was broken into on the weekend of September 2 on Matlock Drive in North Hykeham said: “I just went out to work on Monday morning as usual but noticed my van door was open. I wondered at first if I left it like that.

“But then I noticed my tools missing. To be honest I was gutted – it’s my livelihood. That Monday and Tuesday were spent reporting it to the Police and getting replacements.

“They were just tools and not in any way sentimental but some I’d had for years and years – since I had been an apprentice. You don’t really expect this to happen to you – I associate it with the bigger cities – so I think any publicity is brilliant. It is really good to see a Police Force actually trying to do something about it.”