DeterTech, owner of SmartWater forensic marking technology, has announced the release of its new tool and van marking kit. It is immediately available for purchase online from home improvement retailer Wickes and the SmartWater store.
SmartWater is a game changer for deterring thieves from stealing; the new kit includes stickers warning that items are forensically marked and are fully traceable by the police to stop criminals in the act. Furthermore, if thieves do steal marked items, SmartWater makes it easy for police to prove goods are stolen property and trace back to original owners.
Tool theft remains a widespread problem, affecting 79% of tradespeople at some point in their careers. In 2024, 25,525 thefts were reported, amounting to an astounding £40 million worth of stolen tools. The issue has a widespread effect, negatively impacting finances through lost earnings and equipment replacement costs. Severe disruption is also caused to work schedules, leading to delays or even cancellations to jobs, damaging professional reputations.
Additionally, tool theft also detrimentally impacts tradespeople’s mental health, with nearly 90% of UK tradespeople worrying about becoming a victim of tool theft and 4 in 5 in construction experiencing mental health issues.
It is estimated only 1% of stolen tools are returned to owners, highlighting the need for combative solutions that make tools traceable. SmartWater is a proven forensic marking solution that deters criminal activity and ensures the best chance of property recovery. Quick and simple to use and supported by the police, SmartWater has held a 100% conviction rate in court cases for 30 years.
Gary Higgins, Director of Security and Risk from DeterTech states: “Tool theft is more than a disruption to work and an inconvenient insurance claim, it has a direct impact on tradespeople and their families’ wellbeing. Becoming a victim of theft is an incredibly traumatic experience, especially for self-employed individuals whose very livelihoods could be at stake.”
“Tools and vehicles can be replaced, but it is hard to recover from the feeling of being targeted at home or in the workplace,” Gary continues. “This is why we are excited to launch our new tools and van kit to help bring peace of mind to those in the trade and provide proactive solutions that result in positive outcomes where tools are returned to owners.”
David Wood, CEO at Wickes, said: “Tool theft remains a serious issue for tradespeople, affecting not just their work but their livelihoods and day-to-day life. The impact goes far beyond the cost of replacing stolen equipment. It causes stress, delays and real disruption to everyday life.
“We’re proud to be partnering with DeterTech to support the launch of the new SmartWater Tool and Van Marking Kit. Together, we want to help tradespeople keep their tools and vehicles secure and make it much harder for thieves to get away with stealing. This partnership is about giving the trade community greater confidence so they can focus on their work without worrying.”
To view the kit on the Wickes website, click here, or to find out more about the SmartWater range, visit: https://shop.smartwater.com/
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