Met Police seize £80,000 worth of stolen tools in car boot sale

Met Police officers have seized about £80,000 worth of suspected stolen tools at a car boot sale in west London as part of a continued crackdown on tool theft.

On Thursday, 11 December officers recovered 400 suspected stolen power tools during a proactive operation at the Hounslow Heath Car Boot Sale. The items included power drills, nail guns, electric saws, and a concrete mixer.

Two men aged 55 and 54 and two 15-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. They have been bailed pending further enquiries.

The activity was carried out in response to concerns about tool theft and is part of the Met’s continued focus on tackling crimes that matter most to Londoners.

Superintendent James Rawlinson, Hounslow local neighbourhood policing team, said:

“We are listening to Londoner’s concerns about tool theft because we understand the significant impact it has on tradespeople and their livelihoods.

“We are targeting the prolific offenders and organised criminal groups that drive this trade in stolen tools through proactive, intelligence-led operations.

“We are also ramping up our efforts around prevention, carrying out regular tool marking events across London to make it harder for criminals to sell stolen goods."

Officers are working to identify the tools and trace their original owners.

The Met is continuing to target tool thieves through intelligence-led operations as part of its continued commitment to reducing crime across London.

As a result, theft of tools and other items from vehicles was down 20.3 per cent between April and the start of December, compared with the same period last year.

Earlier this year, officers seized more than £500,000 worth of stolen tools during operations at two large-scale boot sales and associated premises in Romford and Rainham, making a number of arrests.

Those who own power tools are advised to mark their property, take photographs, and record serial numbers so that, in the event of theft, officers have more chance of returning property.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR: Photos and video content is available here.