The government have been criticised for failing to back an amendment on a bill designed to crack down on tool theft. The Conservatives had tabled an amendment to the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill but saw a series of proposed changes rejected by Labour MPs.
The changes included ensuring fines for tool theft reflect the cost of replacing victims’ tools, repairing damage, and lost work, introducing tougher sentences for tool theft and provisions to force councils to develop enforcement plans to stop the sale of stolen tools and car boot sales. Conservative MP and Shadow Minister for Policing and Crime Matt Vickers MP called the decision to reject the amendment Labour’s “day of shame”. He told the Daily Express: “Labour have shamefully voted down our sensible plans to crack down on tool theft – it is their day of shame.
“Our plans were reasonable and had broad support across the industry. It would have meant tougher fines, longer sentences, and a clampdown on the sale of stolen tools at car boot sales – but Labour voted against it.
“Tool theft is out of control. It isn’t just the cost of replacing the tools, it’s disappointed customers and days of lost income.
“Labour should be standing up for our hardworking tradesmen, but instead they’ve thrown them under the bus.”
The bill was initially introduced to the house by Labour MP Amanda Martin and will have its second reading in parliament next month.
The Conservative amendment was voted down by the Labour Party, with 304 Labour MPs voting against the Bill, including Crime and Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson – who voted against the measures she has long been campaigning for.
Research from Direct Line shows what an issue tool theft has become in Britain, with almost 45,000 tool thefts reported to police in a single year – amounting to one being reported every 12 minutes.
The research also showed thefts are on the rise, despite tradespeople spending on average £626 on additional security. Furthermore, tradespeople lost an estimated £82 million worth of jobs last year due to tool theft.
Additional research from On The Tools also found that 86% of UK tradespeople worry about tool theft, and 75% have had tools stolen at some point in their working lives. Worryingly, nearly nine out of ten said they didn’t get adequate support from the police.
Shadow Policing and Crime Minister Matt Vickers has seen the impact first-hand.
The MP’s dad and brother are both builders – with his dad having suffered from tool theft himself. The local MP is taking action, and took part in a Trades United rally in Parliament Square earlier this year to campaign for action on tool theft.
The Daily Express has contacted Dame Diana Johnson and Amanda Martin for comment.