Tool thefts 2022 - 2024
9 May 2025
Request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Ref No: FOI2025/02979
I write in connection with your request for information received on 4 April. I note you seek access to the following information:
I am submitting a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the investigation and case outcomes of reported tool theft incidents within your police force’s jurisdiction.
I would be grateful if you could provide the following information for each of the past three calendar years: 2022, 2023, and 2024. If possible, please complete the attached Excel form. If now, please respond to the questions as listed below:
1. Total Number of Tool Theft Cases
- How many reports of tool theft have been recorded annually in your jurisdiction?
Of these, how many involved thefts from vehicles, homes, and commercial premises?
2. Investigation & Case Closure Rates
- What is the average length of time spent investigating each reported tool theft case before it is closed?
- How many tool theft cases were closed within the following timeframes:
- 24 hours
- 48 hours
- One week
- One month
- How many cases remain open beyond one month?
3. Arrests, Charges, and Convictions
- How many tool theft cases resulted in an arrest each year?
- How many led to formal charges?
- How many resulted in a conviction?
4. Recovery of Stolen Tools
- How many cases resulted in the recovery of stolen tools?
- What percentage of recovered tools were returned to their original owners?
5. Police Resources & Prioritisation
- How many officers (FTE) are assigned to investigate tool theft cases?
- Are tool theft cases given a specific priority level compared to other property crimes?
I am required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.
Following enquiries within Bedfordshire Police the Force please see our response below.
Recorded Crime
Stolen Property - TOOLS
Dates between: 1.1.2022 - 31.12.2024
|
Stolen Property - TOOLS |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
Stolen TOOLS |
445 |
583 |
618 |
1646 |
|
Vehicle Offences |
202 |
335 |
264 |
801 |
|
Burglary - Business and Community |
77 |
66 |
104 |
247 |
|
All Other Theft Offences |
54 |
60 |
70 |
184 |
|
Residential Burglary-Unconnected Build |
0 |
43 |
93 |
136 |
|
Shoplifting |
30 |
48 |
54 |
132 |
|
Burglary - Residential |
78 |
12 |
|
90 |
|
Residential Burglary-Home |
0 |
15 |
28 |
43 |
|
Criminal Damage |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Violence With Injury |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Violence Without Injury |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Public Order Offences |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Theft From The Person |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Arson |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Robbery - Personal |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
445 |
583 |
618 |
1646 |
Recorded Crime
Stolen Property - TOOLS
Dates between: 1.1.2022 - 31.12.2024
|
Stolen Property - TOOLS |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
Stolen TOOLS |
445 |
583 |
618 |
1646 |
|
1 - Charged/Summons |
3 |
6 |
12 |
21 |
|
4 - TIC |
1 |
5 |
2 |
8 |
|
8 - Community Resolution |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
10 - Not in the Public Interest (Police) |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
12 - Suspect is too ill |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
14 - Victim does not support, no named suspect |
10 |
10 |
10 |
30 |
|
15 - Suspect, victim supports, evidential difficulties |
8 |
8 |
22 |
38 |
|
16 - Suspect, victim does not support |
10 |
7 |
9 |
26 |
|
17 - Time Limit Expired |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
18 - Investigation Complete |
411 |
546 |
558 |
1515 |
|
Unsolved |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Grand Total |
445 |
583 |
618 |
1646 |
Recorded Crime
Stolen Property - TOOLS
Dates between: 1.1.2022 - 31.12.2024
Stolen Property - TOOLS
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
Stolen TOOLS |
2 |
4 |
5 |
11 |
|
Recovered |
2 |
4 |
5 |
11 |
|
Grand Total |
2 |
4 |
5 |
11 |
Recorded Crime
Stolen Property - TOOLS
Dates between: 1.1.2022 - 31.12.2024
|
Stolen Property - TOOLS |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
Stolen TOOLS |
445 |
583 |
618 |
1646 |
|
0-1 days |
141 |
239 |
180 |
560 |
|
2 days |
50 |
81 |
66 |
197 |
|
3-7 days |
117 |
72 |
155 |
344 |
|
8-31 days |
95 |
110 |
124 |
329 |
|
over 1 month |
42 |
81 |
90 |
213 |
|
Unsolved |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Grand Total |
445 |
583 |
618 |
1646 |
Recorded Crime
Stolen Property - TOOLS
Dates between: 1.1.2022 - 31.12.2024
|
Stolen Property - TOOLS |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
|
Stolen TOOLS |
7 |
11 |
3 |
21 |
|
ARREST |
7 |
11 |
3 |
21 |
|
Grand Total |
7 |
11 |
3 |
21 |
There are no officers assigned specifically to deal with Tool theft.
The numerical data presented in this response is an un-audited snapshot of un-published data sourced from "live" systems and is subject to the interpretation of the original request by the individual extracting the data.