Met operation uncovers UK’s biggest ever stash of stolen tools
Over £2 million worth of stolen tools were recovered in east London
Police have uncovered a £2 million stash of stolen tools in east London, making it the largest recovery of its kind ever recorded in the UK.
The discovery came after a construction firm reported the theft of high-value equipment from a site in Tilbury, Essex.
Using a tracking device fitted to the stolen equipment, Metropolitan Police officers, with support from the National Construction and Agri Theft Team, traced it to an address in east London. Local officers found the equipment along with machinery and tools thought to be worth roughly £2 million.
Two people were arrested at the site, while a third suspect was detained at another location where more stolen items were recovered.
The suspects are believed to belong to an organised criminal group, which allegedly resold stolen goods online and distributed them across the UK and Europe.
Police operation disrupts organised criminal network
Inspector Mark Connolly from the Metropolitan Police’s local team in east London said trade workers’ livelihoods were often harmed by such thefts.
"Too many tradespeople are being put out of work and out of pocket by organised tool thieves.
"This is one of the largest recoveries of stolen tools we’ve ever made, and it sends a clear message that we will identify offenders and bring them to justice.
"Our teams are working with partners across construction, retail and logistics to disrupt the organised networks that profit from these offences, and to return stolen tools to their rightful owners.
"Our message to tradespeople is to mark your items with synthetic DNA to make it easier to forensically link items and register the serial number with the manufacturer and the UK National Property Register," Inspector Connolly said.
Investigation ongoing to identify rightful owners
The stolen tools, which reportedly fill 10 lorry loads, have been securely stored by police. Officers are now working to trace their rightful owners, with some equipment thought to have been stolen in thefts dating back to 2019.
As part of its strategy to combat tool thefts, the Met says it will continue using intelligence-led operations to target criminal groups.
More details are expected as the investigation progresses.