FIS seeks greater police emphasis on tool theft as it cites 26,164 recorded cases in 2025

The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) wants police forces across the UK to give tool theft greater emphasis, citing BBC analysis that it said recorded at least 26,164 thefts in 2025, about one every 20 minutes.

The trade body, which describes itself as the not-for-profit representative body for the £12bn finishes and interiors sector with more than 600 members, said on 30 October that it wants to engage with forces on the problem and on the role forensic marking of tools could play in reducing it.

FIS said the 26,164 figure was based on information supplied by 30 police forces. It is also asking tradespeople who have had tools stolen to send details, photographs and police reports to info@thefis.org to build its case for action.

Jon Jacznik of Drywall Contracts, whose experience FIS set out in its post, suffered three separate tool thefts in 18 months, including a site break-in in which seven tool vaults were emptied. He said: "Whether it's a van break-in or a site break-in, the impact on businesses and operatives is devastating. As an industry, we need a different approach because what we're doing now clearly isn't working."

The cost to contractors

Jacznik said the financial impact went beyond the tools themselves, taking in replacement equipment, delays, lost productivity and reorganised jobs. Even security equipment such as tool vaults can cost about £700 to replace, he said.

His suggested precautions include trackers to help locate stolen equipment, security marking of tools and storage to aid identification if items are recovered, and caution about buying tools offered without chargers or separately from their usual kit, which he said could indicate they are stolen. He added that these measures should sit within a wider site security approach, with monitored alarms and secure storage.

The sentencing campaign

FIS tied its call to the campaign by Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin, whose Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill sought two changes: that courts recognise theft of tools of trade as an example of significant additional harm when assessing an offence, and that sentencing takes account of vehicle damage, lost earnings and business disruption rather than only the value of the equipment.

FIS said the original Private Member's Bill did not reach its second reading and fell at the end of the 2024-26 parliamentary session without becoming law. It said Martin then secured progress through the Government's wider Sentencing Bill, now the Sentencing Act 2026, and during its consideration in January 2026 highlighted measures she said would allow stronger restrictions on offenders, including electronic tagging and limits on where they can go after release.

The Sentencing Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 22 January 2026, according to legislation.gov.uk. The Ministry of Justice said on the same date that the Act included what it called the biggest ever expansion in tagging and the use of restriction zones, which it said would confine offenders to a certain area so victims could travel without fear of seeing them. The department's announcement did not refer to tool theft specifically. Sentencing Minister Jake Richards said: "Urgent, bold action was needed to keep the public safe."

How the guideline works

Separately, the Sentencing Council for England and Wales's theft guideline for magistrates' courts already lists "Impact of theft on a business" and "Consequential financial harm to victim or others" among its examples of significant additional harm.

Under the guideline, the presence of significant additional harm can lift an offence into a higher harm category. Category 3 covers medium value goods of £500 to £10,000 with no significant additional harm, or low value goods with significant additional harm. Category 2 covers high value goods of £10,000 to £100,000 with no significant additional harm, or medium value goods with significant additional harm.

The Sentencing Council says the guideline has been effective since 1 February 2016 and was last updated on 5 October 2026. FIS said the specific proposal to name tool theft in sentencing guidance remains part of the campaign's wider ambitions.