Driving A Ring Around Tool And Van Theft

SelectaDNA and Ring have teamed up to tackle the problem of van and tool theft in the UK.

SelectaDNA has joined forces with Ring to help raise awareness of Van and Tool theft in the UK and highlight the impact theft has on tradespeople and their families.

For trades such as builders, electricians and landscape gardeners, tools and vehicles are an essential part of their work and livelihood. However they are regularly targeted by thieves as they often cost hundreds, if not thousands of pounds to buy and are easy to sell on via websites or boot fairs.

To add to the problem, thieves will often target that same tradesperson or business after a few months as they know that the stolen tools will have been replaced with brand new ones, as trades are unable to earn a living without them.

According to data from the Metropolitan Police, almost £57,000 of tools were stolen every day in London alone in 2020. And according to research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), 51% of builders in the UK have been victims of tool theft, with a van broken into every 23 minutes.

Selectamark and Ring are launching a campaign that will help raise awareness of van and tool theft and offer advice on the steps that Britain’s tradespeople can take to protect their vans, tools, and businesses.

Thieves can be deterred by forensically marking tools with a SelectaDNA Tools and Equipment kit which also helps recover items and equipment in the event of theft.  By marking each valuable items with SelectaDNA – a unique formula of DNA, UV tracer and microdots - and displaying a warning sticker in your vehicle, then the chances of theft are reduced dramatically. Criminals view items marked with SelectaDNA as too high risk and are further put off from stealing them as they have little or no resale value.

Since they were founded in 2013, Ring has been on a mission to make neighbourhoods safer. From the first-ever video doorbell, to the award-winning DIY Ring Alarm system. Ring are committed to making home and neighbourhood security accessible and effective for everyone -- while working hard to bring communities together.

The collaboration between SelectaDNA and Ring will be across print, radio and social media and highlights the impact that tool and van theft has on a business and our joint commitment to help tackle the issue.

There will also be competitions to win security products including SelectaDNA Tools and Equipment Kit and Ring products.