By Aneeka Simonis
TOOLS valued at more than a million dollars were stolen from utes, work sites and properties in Cardinia Shire, Casey and Greater Dandenong over 12 months.
Darren Pollard, 49, from Berwick, knows half a dozen tradies who have been targeted by tool raiders in the past few weeks, and he himself has been a victim.
All it took was 15 minutes for thieves to pinch thousands of dollars’ worth of tools from the back of his work truck.
“I went to do a quote in Jayco Drive, Dandenong, about six weeks ago. I was inside the factory on a Monday morning from 7.20am for about 15 minutes. When I came out there were two blokes stealing tools from my work truck,” he said.
“They got away with a demo saw and power tools. They cost me about $3500.”
The thieves took off in a white ute, and that was the last the sole trader and father of six saw of his tools.
“I have to source new tools to keep the job going,” he said, explaining his insurance did not cover the theft.
Police in the outer south-east region are urging tradies to increase the security of their gear as a result of the $1 million spike in tool thefts between June 2015 and June 2016.
Southern Metro Proactive Policing Unit Sergeant Brad Johnstone said tradies were being targeted by opportunistic criminals on the lookout for unsecured tools.
“While this isn’t a new problem for us, we have seen a recent spike particularly in the areas of Berwick, Narre Warren and Endeavour Hills,” Sgt Johnstone said.
“Most cases involve thieves who roam residential streets overnight searching for easy targets like an unsecured trailer.
“Unfortunately, tools are easy to steal and can be sold for cash, often to other tradies.”
Sgt Johnstone said police would be speaking to tradespeople about the best ways to keep their tools nailed down.
“The inconvenience for an individual when the tools vital to their trade are stolen is huge,” Sgt Johnstone said.
“The reality is that a number of these crimes can be reduced by some simple preventative measures.”
Mr Pollard said he personally knew six tradies who had had their tools stolen in the past few weeks, including a plumbing apprentice who had his van pinched.
These tools are often traded in at pawn shops for cash.
Police issued tips to prevent tool theft:
Tips to prevent tool theft:
* When leaving tools in your vehicle overnight, park it in a garage where possible. Avoid dark, unlit or isolated areas;
Lock your vehicle when it is unattended, even at work sites. Wherever possible, keep tools out of sight so that thieves are not tempted;
* Secure any tools left inside the vehicle with visible locks. Use hardened steel padlocks, shackle protectors and chains. Large, visible locks on toolboxes can be a deterrent;
* If you drive a ute, consider investing in a sturdy, lockable ute toolbox and bolt it to the vehicle’s tray;
* Alarm your tool box and vehicle;
* Keep an inventory of all of your tools. Photograph and/or record model and serial numbers;
* Engrave or mark your tools for easy identification – the letter V followed by your Victorian licence number is recommended;
* Report any suspicious behaviour to police. If you see people loitering on site or around vehicles and believe they are stealing or up to no good, ring triple-zero or Crime Stoppers1800 333 000.
