Stolen tools

[jeremy]

My pick up was broken into in the Docklands Travelodge car park on Wednesday night. Kit taken is as follows:
Fluke 1654
Fluke 381
Fluke T6-1000
Fluke 3000 multimeter, DC ammeter, AC ammeter, Voltmeter
Fluke 325
Fluke IR thermometer
Above packed in Fluke storage cases
Bosch 12V FC drill
Bosch 18V FC drill
Bosch 18V jigsaw
Bosch 18V recip saw
Bosch 18V multitool
Bosch 18V vacuum
Bosch GO scredriver
Wera insulated socket set
DeWalt 400mm tough system boxes x 2
Cembre 550dn hydraulic crimp tool
Dymo XTL 500 label printer
Roughly £8-9k
Some of the kit has my company name ULSTEL LTD written on, with a contact number.
I'm not expecting to get anything back, and as not covered by insurance, a fairly hefty loss.
If anyone hears of anything matching the above, I'd be eternally grateful for any info.
I thank you.

 

[Baddegg]

@jeremy
Really sorry for you chap. That's a lot of tools and a lot of money to replace them.
There's always going to be some horrible person around that will steal tools. You have to learn from this. You must now insure your tools, It's not that expensive. I add mine on to my PL insurance and it gives me great peace of mind. in addition, you must make sure that the tools are covered in your vehicle over night as some insurance companies offer this as an extra, but do not make it clear when you take out the policy.

In addition, dead locks. Good quality deadlocks. Both my neighbours vans have been broken into and tools stolen. Mine has not been touched (kiss of death!) and I think it is because of the deadlocks. The thieves want quick easy pickings and will go for the easy van, not the hard van. However, if they really want to get in, they will, hence the insurance.

Sorry again chap.

Check your policy @HappyHippyDad, after all mine were stolen last week I discovered the actual money I should receive in no way reflects the value, as a chippy I was taught from a young age to look after and maintain my tools, I kept them in pristine condition.....turns out over 3 years old I’ll only get 50% of the actual value so even if they pay out I still won’t be able to replace what I’ve lost, lesson learnt for me ?

 

[Mike Johnson]

The criminal justice system seems to be on the side of the perpetrator rather than the householder, two burglars broke into a house and where rummaging through the kitchen cupboards when the house owners son came into the kitchen, he pointed his elbows and came down on the collar bones of one, jumped up and drop kicked the other then tied them elbow to elbow on the kitchen floor, to cut a long story short he was prosecuted for GBH by the burglars and was found guilty, this was over fifty five years ago, nothing's changed.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Check your policy @HappyHippyDad, after all mine were stolen last week I discovered the actual money I should receive in no way reflects the value, as a chippy I was taught from a young age to look after and maintain my tools, I kept them in pristine condition.....turns out over 3 years old I’ll only get 50% of the actual value so even if they pay out I still won’t be able to replace what I’ve lost, lesson learnt for me ?

Jeez! I didn't know that.

Cheers Scott, that nice peace of mind I mentioned has now gone ??

So how much were your tools insured for and what was the payout? PM me if you don't want to get into too many private details out loud. I'm just interested in what to expect, as mine are bound to get stolen at some point.

 

[Baddegg]

Jeez! I didn't know that.

Cheers Scott, that nice peace of mind I mentioned has now gone ??

So how much were your tools insured for and what was the payout? PM me if you don't want to get into too many private details out loud. I'm just interested in what to expect, as mine are bound to get stolen at some point.

No worries mate, don’t want anyone else getting caught like me, I was happy with myself taking out the policy and should have read the small print ? I have/had £2.5k for tools and £2.5k for stock, I thought that would be enough as I never ever anticipated losing everything in one go, but to then find out I won’t even get like for like replacement as I believed I would was a real kick......I lost probably £4.5k tools plus a load of cable/downlights and consumer units......they had a field day.......must’ve been there ages and went prepared

 

[Strima]

I've jiggled things around since this picture was taken but all my expensive tools are in a vault bolted to the floor.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

No worries mate, don’t want anyone else getting caught like me, I was happy with myself taking out the policy and should have read the small print ? I have/had £2.5k for tools and £2.5k for stock, I thought that would be enough as I never ever anticipated losing everything in one go, but to then find out I won’t even get like for like replacement as I believed I would was a real kick......I lost probably £4.5k tools plus a load of cable/downlights and consumer units......they had a field day.......must’ve been there ages and went prepared

What was your payout?

 

[UNG]

When I had my fishing stuff nicked and got a pasting for mt\y troubles, I have the satisfaction to know that one of the Perps is missing what was left of his front teeth, felt like that bloke from death wish at the time, my wife wasn't to pleased though. especially after the Sheriff and his men left, just can't believe they reported it. the nerve of some people

When I had one trying to climb into my Transit van as I was getting out he seemed to think my boss wouldn't be bothered if he nicked some stuff my response was let me get my comb and pulled out a 4ft wrecking bar I had in the footwell he queried the comb my reply was if you don't **** off I'll give you a lovely centre part

I've jiggled things around since this picture was taken but all my expensive tools are in a vault bolted to the floor.

View attachment 86966

It might slow them down for a short time, I know of a couple of people where with one they took the van vault looked like they had just ripped it out of the floor and left 2 large holes and the other they cut it open with a stihl saw

 

[Baddegg]

What was your payout?

Still waiting mate....takes them 2-3 weeks!...ridiculous if I owed them money they’d be a lot quicker! ?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Will say what i say to a lot of people in trades. locally a few of us have gps trackers, you can get batteries that have gps trackers in them. will certainly improve the likelihood of recovery, if you can say to police i know where my tools are and in 5 minutes will be entering the a property to retrieve them, and would you like to come maintain the peace as you might be required to use 'proportionate' force they will be there immediately!! Have seen police issue a crime reference number to mates when they call it in without investigating, only to quickly come out when they realise people might take action themselves. in this instance the 2 nomadic caravan dwellers ended up with broken nose and somehow some caravans mysteriously caught fire in the following weeks, I am not advocating arson but you can see why people do take law into own hands. Before this the Plod turned up arrested 2 of them for possession of stolen goods. released on bail, eventually no further action was taken. - lack of evidence as they claimed to have found tools in a field.
Even smaller tracking devices located within the tools will work, I have seen an mft with a gps tracker wired into it. so it can be done. the actual tracker module is very small I did consider wiring one into my dewalt sds, when taking it apart recently to replace some parts that had worn out i realised how much space is inside the body. could easily power a tracker so that when a battery is connected it gives location.
Need to think outside the box.

 

[LukeD]

The criminal justice system seems to be on the side of the perpetrator rather than the householder, two burglars broke into a house and where rummaging through the kitchen cupboards when the house owners son came into the kitchen, he pointed his elbows and came down on the collar bones of one, jumped up and drop kicked the other then tied them elbow to elbow on the kitchen floor, to cut a long story short he was prosecuted for GBH by the burglars and was found guilty, this was over fifty five years ago, nothing's changed.

I have "items" arranged around my home. I am happy given the chance to take my turn in court rather than let some scum ruin our home . I hate snowflake types that have ruined this world with PC rubbish

 

[LukeD]

Will say what i say to a lot of people in trades. locally a few of us have gps trackers, you can get batteries that have gps trackers in them. will certainly improve the likelihood of recovery, if you can say to police i know where my tools are and in 5 minutes will be entering the a property to retrieve them, and would you like to come maintain the peace as you might be required to use 'proportionate' force they will be there immediately!! Have seen police issue a crime reference number to mates when they call it in without investigating, only to quickly come out when they realise people might take action themselves. in this instance the 2 nomadic caravan dwellers ended up with broken nose and somehow some caravans mysteriously caught fire in the following weeks, I am not advocating arson but you can see why people do take law into own hands. Before this the Plod turned up arrested 2 of them for possession of stolen goods. released on bail, eventually no further action was taken. - lack of evidence as they claimed to have found tools in a field.
Even smaller tracking devices located within the tools will work, I have seen an mft with a gps tracker wired into it. so it can be done. the actual tracker module is very small I did consider wiring one into my dewalt sds, when taking it apart recently to replace some parts that had worn out i realised how much space is inside the body. could easily power a tracker so that when a battery is connected it gives location.
Need to think outside the box.

Police tend not tot care.Its a case of hard luck if not insured . good luck if insured here is a crime number .many many online videos of cops not wanting to enter pikey camps when security tracking companies have located huge hauls of machinery etc .

 

[nicebutdim]

No worries mate, don’t want anyone else getting caught like me, I was happy with myself taking out the policy and should have read the small print ? I have/had £2.5k for tools and £2.5k for stock, I thought that would be enough as I never ever anticipated losing everything in one go, but to then find out I won’t even get like for like replacement as I believed I would was a real kick......I lost probably £4.5k tools plus a load of cable/downlights and consumer units......they had a field day.......must’ve been there ages and went prepared

Not nice, but the logic is understandable when you consider that few tools are built to last these days.

Many brushed motors are sealed, brushless motors are throwaway items and electroncs are all potted. Little you can repair beyond replacing a trigger switch or chuck. Tools are now disposble goods.

 

[Mike Johnson]

That is not sound logic, similar to the way the scrote's think, they are insured it does not matter if we steal them.

 

[nicebutdim]

That is not sound logic, similar to the way the scrote's think, they are insured it does not matter if we steal them.

I didn't state that the logic was sound, I stated that it was understandable.

 

[Strima]

It might slow them down for a short time, I know of a couple of people where with one they took the van vault looked like they had just ripped it out of the floor and left 2 large holes and the other they cut it open with a stihl saw

It will slow them down, so less chance of them getting kit whilst on site, stopped at lights etc.

But as with anything a determined thief will get in, they've even started peeling the roof back to get around dead locks.

 

[nicebutdim]

A lot of people seem to take issue with the idea of law and order or accountability.

Saw what you like about the man, but Giuliani proved beyind all doubt that tough punishments are a great deterrent to crime.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I was in New York during that time, some kids where kicking a tin can down Lexington the police told them to stop, one kick more and they where truncheoned and piled into the back of the black and white, but I did like the singes on some cars saying "Don't bother to break in, you have had the radio already"

 

[UNG]

I have "items" arranged around my home. I am happy given the chance to take my turn in court rather than let some scum ruin our home . I hate snowflake types that have ruined this world with PC rubbish

One to be aware of is the pan or kettle of boiling water, common practice when breaking in to domestic properties is to fill a kettle or pan and put it on to boil you come downstairs you get a pan of boiling water over you so always have a quilt or similar to protect yourself from being burnt if you want to confront them

Police tend not tot care.Its a case of hard luck if not insured . good luck if insured here is a crime number .many many online videos of cops not wanting to enter pikey camps when security tracking companies have located huge hauls of machinery etc .

The police only want easy pickings to keep their points score up something that takes too long to get a result doesn't get enough points and they don't hit their target

It will slow them down, so less chance of them getting kit whilst on site, stopped at lights etc.

But as with anything a determined thief will get in, they've even started peeling the roof back to get around dead locks.

It might buy you a few extra minutes but it won't slow them down for very long these people are well equipped as they make a business out of thieving
Peeling the roof back isn't new they have been doing that for at least 10 - 20 years

 

[Zerax]

...turns out over 3 years old I’ll only get 50% of the actual value so even if they pay out I still won’t be able to replace what I’ve lost

PM me later... I know a bloke down the pub who always has cheap tools for sale...

 

[Zerax]

but I did like the singes on some cars saying "Don't bother to break in, you have had the radio already"

I still like the one I saw on a decorators van... "No brushes left in this van overnight"

 

[OnlQQker]

 

[SparkySy]

The worst thing is that van manufacturers seem to do absolutely sweet fa to help the situation, doors are so flimsy, and standard locks are sh@t! My type of van is known for having a spot just above the handle that if you stab a knife or screwdriver through it hits the central locking wire and shorts it, opening all the vans doors! How hard would it be to reposition the wires out of the way really?! Manufacturers need to start to make them more difficult to access. I guess they don't give a sh@t either as it only ever makes them more money selling you a new door or locks and handles!

 

[Mike Johnson]

I had a Ford Granada and that could be opened by using half a tennis ball over the lock and giving it a whack, shown to me by the Police after the car had been broken into and my briefcase stolen from the boot.

 

[jeremy]

I thought that Travelodge had a controlled barrier on the access road due to the two massive data centres that are on the same road. Someone will have let them in.

My truck was reversed up to the fence that goes onto the A102 main road. Fence bars have been prised apart, so access can be gained by someone slimmer than me. I feel like I handed it to them on a plate.

 

[LukeD]

Latest trick is a petrol cutter and they cut out a huge section of roof .It takes them only a few mins . No elf and safety etc .They just rip into with the big cutter

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Bloody fantastic!

 

[Mike Johnson]

Latest trick is a petrol cutter and they cut out a huge section of roof .It takes them only a few mins . No elf and safety etc .They just rip into with the big cutter

And the advent of battery powered angle grinders its even easier and quieter.

 

[LukeD]

STIHL Cut-Off Saw TS 480i Petrol 12 - https://www.sam-turner.co.uk/products/garden-machinery-stihl-ts-480i-cut-off-saw-petrol?variant=32444991438987&fo_c=603&fo_k=def7ec52e942f4ece3e5cd1dc13bced3&fo_s=gplauk&gclid=CjwKCAjw8cCGBhB6EiwAgORey7vBCl_K0LUcbDL6qchEaBe4iCJshd5RXyesE6MhwgQc5QtYmsGnzhoCt6kQAvD_BwE They wont be worried about noise .It will be speed and intimidation .

 

[telectrix]

one thing about countries like Saudi. convicted thief gets hand cut off. rare to see one with both hands missing.

 

[Mike Johnson]

STIHL Cut-Off Saw TS 480i Petrol 12 - https://www.sam-turner.co.uk/products/garden-machinery-stihl-ts-480i-cut-off-saw-petrol?variant=32444991438987&fo_c=603&fo_k=def7ec52e942f4ece3e5cd1dc13bced3&fo_s=gplauk&gclid=CjwKCAjw8cCGBhB6EiwAgORey7vBCl_K0LUcbDL6qchEaBe4iCJshd5RXyesE6MhwgQc5QtYmsGnzhoCt6kQAvD_BwE They wont be worried about noise .It will be speed and intimidation .

Not in my experience, the majority of scrotes break into somewhere under the cover of darkness and do not want to be detected, they love security lights, but don't like cameras.

 

[DPG]

Latest trick is a petrol cutter and they cut out a huge section of roof .It takes them only a few mins . No elf and safety etc .They just rip into with the big cutter

That's the trouble. While ever you've got Stihl saws and battery powered grinders then they can get in anywhere. And the battery powered angle grinder is a bike thief's dream tool.

Not in my experience, the majority of scrotes break into somewhere under the cover of darkness and do not want to be detected, they love security lights, but don't like cameras.

Not always the case these days Mike. Often they arrive in a team of 3 or 4 people. Two to do the actual cutting/smashing/thieving and one or two stand guard with crowbar on case anyone tries to stop them. They don't care what noise they make because they will be gone in minutes.

 

[Strima]

My truck was reversed up to the fence that goes onto the A102 main road. Fence bars have been prised apart, so access can be gained by someone slimmer than me. I feel like I handed it to them on a plate.

Not your fault mate, I wouldn't have even considered they would try getting in that way.

 

[Zerax]

Not always the case these days Mike. Often they arrive in a team of 3 or 4 people. Two to do the actual cutting/smashing/thieving and one or two stand guard with crowbar on case anyone tries to stop them. They don't care what noise they make because they will be gone in minutes.

Agreed... and in the highly unlikely event of a policeman arriving... they'll either claim to be part of the travelling community... so untouchable, or Eastern European and don't understand English. If they get as far as being interviewed... it'll be 'no comment' all the way through, then after they're released... they vanish... to carry on where they left off.

 

[LukeD]

That's the trouble. While ever you've got Stihl saws and battery powered grinders then they can get in anywhere. And the battery powered angle grinder is a bike thief's dream tool.


Not always the case these days Mike. Often they arrive in a team of 3 or 4 people. Two to do the actual cutting/smashing/thieving and one or two stand guard with crowbar on case anyone tries to stop them. They don't care what noise they make because they will be gone in minutes.

Look at car Cat thefts. They are happy to make a noise and work on intimidation .How many people will take on a few pikey types unless 1/2 the street roll out for a fight /

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I know a professional security consultant, ex-military and now designs security systems for banks, high end jewellers etc.
He said to me once most cctv is next to useless as its been in too long and the image quality is poor. when they do have decent cctv if carrying out a break in at night then the pro burglars and crooks use LED halos, they have rapidly flashing IR leds that obscure the face and head on the footage. all you see when playing back is a bright white circle over them. they may also use really bright static leds if there are floodlights that will come on as this will equally blind the camera. this stuff can all be bought online.
He told me once about a group of eastern europeans who broke in to a high end fashion store in London, they picked the locks, jammed the phone signals and cut the bt line outfront. the cctv showed nothing despite being high end kit as they wore the led halos. they had somebody on a moped blind the onstreet cctv using powerful laser. next to no evidence in and out within several minutes and tens of thousands of clothes taken.
I doubt very much the cctv in hotel car parks is up to much!!

 

[DPG]

I know a professional security consultant, ex-military and now designs security systems for banks, high end jewellers etc.
He said to me once most cctv is next to useless as its been in too long and the image quality is poor. when they do have decent cctv if carrying out a break in at night then the pro burglars and crooks use LED halos, they have rapidly flashing IR leds that obscure the face and head on the footage. all you see when playing back is a bright white circle over them. they may also use really bright static leds if there are floodlights that will come on as this will equally blind the camera. this stuff can all be bought online.
He told me once about a group of eastern europeans who broke in to a high end fashion store in London, they picked the locks, jammed the phone signals and cut the bt line outfront. the cctv showed nothing despite being high end kit as they wore the led halos. they had somebody on a moped blind the onstreet cctv using powerful laser. next to no evidence in and out within several minutes and tens of thousands of clothes taken.
I doubt very much the cctv in hotel car parks is up to much!!

The best thing about cctv, and what people often overlook, is that other people's cameras may well pick the scrotes up before they put their balaclavas on. They are often spotted before they arrive at the target address. And they can't really block the whole street's cameras. That's the good thing about more and more people having CCTV.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

The best thing about cctv, and what people often overlook, is that other people's cameras may well pick the scrotes up before they put their balaclavas on. They are often spotted before they arrive at the target address. And they can't really block the whole street's cameras. That's the good thing about more and more people having CCTV.

Thats exactly what he says, you basically have to track them backwards, especially in london you will catch them soon or later on camera then can tie it in with phone data etc...

 

[timhoward]

Here is another possibility - anyone for beekeeping? This was on my facebook feed today....

 

[SparkySy]

Ah I like it act of nature no comeback what so ever! I happen to know 4 bee keepers too, great way to solve security issues. All you need is a suit and some smoke to get your tools out!