BRISBANE, Queensland, Oct. 13 -- Queensland Police Service issued the following media release:

Police are urging tradies to secure their tools and protect their livelihood, after more than 25,000 tools were stolen across Queensland in the 2024-25 financial year.

In response to the rising trend, Queensland Police Service (QPS) has today launched a new crime prevention initiative in North Brisbane to help tradies, contractors and tool owners keep their gear safe from opportunistic thieves.

As part of the initiative, QPS is working directly with tradies and tool owners to promote prevention and identification strategies to boost the chances of stolen tools being traced back to their rightful owners.

Most regularly stolen items include hand tools, household power tools, trade equipment and commercial power tools.

Police recognise that the impact that tool theft has, is not limited to the cost of replacement.

For many small business owners and contractors, stolen tools mean loss of wages, jobs delayed and added pressure on their livelihood.

Officer in Charge of North Brisbane District Criminal Investigation Branch, Detective Senior Sergeant Ken Rogers, reiterated the importance of tool theft prevention strategies to deter would-be offenders.

"We know for our tradies and contractors, a stolen drill or saw isn't just a missing item, but it can mean a day's work lost, jobs pushed back, and reputation with clients," Detective Senior Sergeant Rogers said.

"Most offenders are opportunistic and we've found that engravings, visible locks and alarms make a big difference in deterring theft.

"The Queensland Police Service is committed to holding offenders to account and returning stolen property where possible, but prevention is the best protection."

In June, small business owner, Michael Brookes-Jones, had his vehicle broken into, with thieves making off with his tools.

Fortunately, Michael had a record of the serial numbers of his equipment, which he was able to provide to police.

When offenders attempted to sell the stolen items, police were able to recover the majority of Michael's property.

As a small business owner, Michael says having a record of the serial numbers was a game changer for police to reunite him with his tools.

"When I got the call from police that my tools had been located and I could collect them - I was ecstatic," Michael said.

"It would have been a huge financial hit to replace every piece stolen, and I am thankful that I had been proactive in recording the information and was able to provide the serial numbers.

"I have now engraved my details on all my tools and installed tracking devices, as it gives me piece of mind to know that if something like this happens again, police will have no trouble getting them back to me."

Despite police efforts, only 1,283 tools were reunited with Queenslanders in the last financial year.

Prevention strategies

Police are urging tool owners to take simple steps to protect their gear:

1. Lock up your tools: * Remove or secure valuable tools - keep them out of sight and behind locked doors

* If storing tools in a vehicle, use a fixed locked toolbox with visible locks to deter thieves. 2. Mark your tools with unique identification details and record them: * Marking and engraving tools with names or licence details deters theft as it makes them harder to resell and easier for police to return if stolen

* Record details such as the make and model of the tools and take photos for easy identification if stolen. 3. Secure your work vehicles: * Always lock vehicles and secure all windows including the sunroof when it is unattendedPark vehicles and trailers off the street, in well-lit areas or in places covered by CCTV. 4. Assess your security:

Consider:

* installing an anti-theft audible alarm system to storage compartments, toolboxes and trailers

* installing CCTV to monitor where tools are stored

* hiding trackers in high value items. 5. Look out for suspicious behaviour: * Whether at home or on-the-job site, keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour, for example, people loitering around construction sites or vehicles.

* If you notice anything, make a record of it and report it.

If your tools have been stolen, report it to police immediately via our stolen property form at police.qld.gov.au or contact Policelink on 131 444 for assistance.

Social media is a useful way to stay connected with family and friends, but it is not an official platform to report crime. If you are the victim of tool theft, please report the matter directly to police.

Every step you take to protect your tools makes it harder for thieves to get away with your livelihood, together we can reduce tool theft, and hold offenders to account.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.