Tool theft data 67/2025

FOI Reference: 67/2025

Request:

With tradespeople across the UK affected by tool theft I am looking to find:

1. The number of tool marking events that your police force has supported in the following calendar years: 2024 and 2023?

2.

(a) How many suspected stolen tools has your police force seized and/or catalogued in the following calendar years: 2024 and 2023?

(b) How many of these tools has your police force manage to reunite with their owners in the following calendar years: 2024 and 2023

3. How many arrests has your police force made for offences relating tool theft in the following calendar years: 2024 and 2023?

NB:

The reference to "tools" above relates to those commonly used by tradespeople. This includes, but is not limited to, drills and impact drivers, saws, angle grinders, multi-tools, nail guns, generators, disc cutters, garden power tools, and similar equipment.

Clarification:

Clarification was sought from the applicant and the following was received:

I’m trying to find out how many tools your police force has seized (for example, in raids or in conjunction with arrests). I assume these seized tools are catalogued by police? I am also looking to find how many of these tools police managed to reunite with their rightful owners (many tradespeople mark their tools so that if they are stolen they can be traced back to them).

Response 1:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:

There were a total of zero (0) tool marking events supported by Dyfed Powys police in 2023  and 2024

Response 2a and 2b:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold some of the information requested, the details of which are as follows:

Please note: During the time frame requested new recording systems were introduced.  Therefore, information will be outlined as System 1 (old system) and System 2 (new system).

Please also note: In respect of System 1 there is no information held/recorded as to whether the tools seized were returned to owner.  It only states if it has been disposed or awaiting disposal.

Response 3:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:

• 2023 – 2 arrests
• 2024 – 0 arrests                                  

It should be noted that owing to the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such matters the information provided may or may not be accurate.  It should be noted that for these reasons this Force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other response you may receive.  

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 17/03/25)