An Bord Pleanála has granted planning for a major student accommodation scheme on the Naas Road, Dublin 12, which will bring much needed student housing to the city. Designed by London based, leading International Architecture and Urban Design practice, HKR Architects for Hollybrook Homes, the Gowan House development will provide
Caddick Construction has grown its further education portfolio with an appointment to build a new 24,000 sq ft extension at Loreto Sixth Form College in Hulme, a project that will accommodate 264 new students. Work is now underway on the new three-storey campus building, which is being constructed on Moss
Sika, a leading provider of high-quality roofing solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest Continuing Professional Development (CPD), “Fire Safety in Buildings – Fire Regulation and Test Methods for Roofs.” In today’s built environment, the ever-increasing focus on fire safety in buildings has become a critical concern
Doka Slipform solutions ensured the rapid, efficient construction of a high-rise concrete core that is integral to a standout redevelopment in London’s financial district. The project involves the construction of 2 Aldermanbury Square, a 12 storey, grade A office building with market-leading sustainability credentials located in the City of London.
MATRIX Housing Partnership is working effectively alongside turnkey solutions provider Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) to deliver a 905-property social housing retrofit programme that is demonstrating how to achieve economies of scale and best practice. The seven-member consortium of social housing providers is unique due their geographical spread across the
MURPHY Geospatial, a leading provider of geospatial solutions, has announced the appointment of three new managing directors across the UK and Ireland as part of its strategic growth. Richard Glenn will oversee operations in the UK, David Graham will lead in Ireland, and Andrew Masters will head up the organisation’s
A call by more than 400 of the UK’s leading climate scientists for all election hopefuls to commit to ambitious climate policies has been backed by European insulation specialist Actis. In an open letter to all political parties the academics are calling for five actions to help address climate change,
Following a successful pilot phase initiated last year, Ecophon is now fully operating SoundCircularity Reuse in Sweden. Contributing to Ecophon’s circular offer, the reuse initiative aims to reduce the carbon footprint and resource usage of acoustic products by providing an alternative to newly produced acoustic materials. Building on the promising
Leading manufacturer of physical security systems, CLD, has announced it has acquired 100% of the shares in Cova Security Gates (CSG), in a multi-million-pound buy-out. As one of the largest suppliers of physical security systems in the UK, CLD offer tailored, trusted and durable security solutions to protect environments such
Tool theft is an ongoing issue in many parts of the UK. In response to this, following the first reading of the bill in June 2022, the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 has been signed into law, with the government now consulting on whether to extend the bill’s requirements. To
BDC 318 : Jul 2024
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning for a major student accommodation scheme on the Naas Road, Dublin 12, which will bring much needed student housing to the city. Designed by London based, leading International Architecture and Urban Design practice, HKR Architects for Hollybrook Homes, the Gowan House development will provide 899 purpose-built student rooms (including 44 accessible units and 24 studios) across buildings varying in height from thirteen storeys to ten storeys. The masterplan includes shared community and cultural space, retail space and an attractive public realm positioned on the River Camac. An Bord Pleanála overturned a previous refusal by Dublin City Council at Gowan House on the grounds that student residential was not an appropriate use on the site and the mass of the proposal was inappropriately large. Joao Ornelas, Associate Director for HKR Architects comments: “We welcome An Bord Pleanála’s decision to overturn a previous ruling by the Dublin City Council for this development, which brings 900 student beds to the city. The decision addresses the considerable pressure to supply student housing and creates a great opportunity for future regeneration within the City Edge masterplan. “Our extensive PSBA experience together with our client’s long knowledge of the student sector has empowered the team to create a very viable and efficient scheme, achieving optimum site value in line with HKR’s well established ‘Value by Design’ ethos. This is something we pride ourselves on and bring to all our projects. “This development is unique as it is one of the first to address the daylighting a culverted River in this case the Camac within the City Edge Strategic Framework. Opening a river running nine metres below ground level is challenging but will bring several benefits to the site and ultimately add value. “This is a complex initiative required expert input from the dedicated specialist team. The creation of a low intervention Riparian Zone will encourage biodiversity, increasing plant diversity, food resources and higher quality shelter to the benefit of wildlife inhabiting and commuting through the area. It also proves the overall flood resilience along the River Camac.” Several innovative design measures were adopted to meet the project brief as well as address DCC’s policy aspirations. River daylighting was maximised, which in turn optimises the ecological benefit while providing a wonderful visual amenity to all the spaces overlooking the river. The scheme includes extensive roof gardens as external amenities. This move in the landscape strategy allows the quantum of public realm to be increased, offering an interesting experience for the public with a treetop walk ‘floating’ over the river, providing an attractive visual and ecological feature to this new urban quarter. A pedestrian bridge connects the residential blocks, enabling the communal amenities to be shared between all blocks. This design has the operational benefit of a single entrance point from which residents are distributed across the dissected site. The façade composition utilises complementary and contrasting colours to modulate the general mass of the scheme adding variety and interest to the overall composition. Pre-cast concrete components are proposed in the façade design, providing a high-quality finish with a considered of colour textures and patterns. This robust low maintenance material ensures the continued appearance of the façade through a full life cycle. The use of prefabricated elements brings all the benefits of offsite construction to the project and aligns with HKR’s decades long expertise in industrialised Construction. Internally the standard rooms are arranged in clusters, each featuring three to eight bed spaces with shared living, kitchen and dining areas. HKR have maximised the number of dual aspect clusters, creating 67% dual aspect sitewide avoiding single aspect north-facing clusters. 5% of the rooms are accessible and located near circulation cores for ease of access. Excellent provision is made for disabled users in all circulation spaces and communal areas. All landscaping, public and private has been designed to be fully accessible and inclusive. Prioritizing sustainable transportation, car parking provision is at an absolute minimum of nine spaces, including accessible parking. The development will improve the cycle network and offer extensive bicycle storage including cargo/adapted bike spaces and electric bike charging. The development is accessed via a public south-facing plaza, leading to the central landscape, which includes the daylit segment of the river. The retail, cultural and community spaces, located on the western side of the site off Naas Road directly overlook the new square and public realm, activating and enhancing these spaces while providing new facilities for the surrounding neighbourhood. Jerry Ryan, HKR Executive Chairman comments, “HKR Architects have a long tradition of challenging consensus and optimising mixed use urban regeneration. Smithfield Square constructed in 2003 represented a step change in the density of urban redevelopment in Dublin with a plot ratio of 5.5. Recently it was voted the second ‘coolest neighbourhood’ in the world by TimeOut, second only to Medellin in Columbia. “ Later HKR achieved a grant of permission at Ballsbridge One with a plot ratio of 4.6 which kickstarted the regeneration of Ballsbridge Central. This grant of permission on the Naas Road represents a landmark decision in the city’s ongoing redevelopment. It addresses a very real housing need. Dublin’s housing shortfall should be addressed via multiple residential typologies including student accommodation and co-living as is demonstrably the case in all European cities. The idea of one size fits all does not address the reality of the diverse demography that is a city.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction has grown its further education portfolio with an appointment to build a new 24,000 sq ft extension at Loreto Sixth Form College in Hulme, a project that will accommodate 264 new students. Work is now underway on the new three-storey campus building, which is being constructed on Moss Road West adjacent to the existing campus on Chichester Road South. Planning permission for the expansion was secured in September last year, following which Caddick Construction undertook a series of preparatory works under a pre-construction services agreement. With an emphasis on environmental sustainability and minimising operational carbon, the new campus building will have 39.8% of its electrical demands met by renewable sources. Features include air source heat pumps, solar panels, passive ventilation systems and night cooling. Sustainable forms of transport will also be encouraged as part of the campus investment with the introduction of EV charging and bike storage for 100 bikes. The new building will sit alongside the existing college building, with facilities to enhance the learning environment and curriculum delivery. These include 20 classrooms, a lecture theatre with a seating capacity of 200 and a new study centre. The work will also include partial refurbishment of existing college buildings with new science labs, new catering facilities and a 110 sq m outdoor canopied seating area. A science garden and landscaped reflection spaces will also be created to maximise the use of green space. Throughout the building work, Caddick Construction will work with Loreto College to ensure the students are engaged in the project, including opportunities to complement the teaching curriculum. Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction North West, commented: “Education projects are a chance to make a real difference. Loreto College has taken on an ambitious project to not only bring more students into the college, but to offer them the very best education. To do so while also investing in ways to operate more sustainably is a testament to the quality of education Loreto provides. We are very proud to be delivering the college’s vision and look forward to working closely with them as the project progresses.”Michael Jaffrain, Principal at Loreto College, added: “We are excited about the opportunities this expansion brings and to maximise our green space for biodiversity and air quality.” The project was procured through the NHS Shared Business Services Public Sector Construction Works Framework, which covers all types of building and construction works, providing the NHS and the wider public sector a compliant route to market for construction works. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sika, a leading provider of high-quality roofing solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest Continuing Professional Development (CPD), “Fire Safety in Buildings – Fire Regulation and Test Methods for Roofs.” In today’s built environment, the ever-increasing focus on fire safety in buildings has become a critical concern for specifiers, contractors and building owners. Understanding the relevant regulations, testing methods and certification to enable navigation of the wealth of product information available is therefore essential to ensure the safety and compliance of roofing systems. Sika’s new CPD presentation addresses this need by providing comprehensive coverage of the standards, fire testing and certification for roofing applications, the types of roofing systems and insulation available, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), and the Building Regulations that apply. This CPD aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and understanding needed to make informed decisions when specifying roofing solutions that prioritise fire safety. “At Sika, we understand the critical importance of fire safety in buildings, and we are committed to equipping our customers with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions,” said Mark Harris, Head of Sustainability at Sika Limited. “Our new ‘Fire Safety in Buildings – Fire Regulation and Test Methods for Roofs’ CPD is a testament to our dedication to supporting the industry and ensuring the safety and well-being of occupants.” In addition to the “Fire Regulation and Test Methods for Roofs” CPD, Sika’s Roofing Division offers a range of other CPD topics, including: These CPD sessions are designed to provide industry professionals with the necessary knowledge and insights to navigate the evolving roofing landscape and make informed decisions that prioritise safety, sustainability, and performance. To learn more about Sika’s CPD offerings or to schedule a session, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Doka Slipform solutions ensured the rapid, efficient construction of a high-rise concrete core that is integral to a standout redevelopment in London’s financial district. The project involves the construction of 2 Aldermanbury Square, a 12 storey, grade A office building with market-leading sustainability credentials located in the City of London. The redevelopment will increase its lettable area significantly from 180,000 sq ft to 320,000 sq ft and incorporate public realm and amenity improvements designed to positively impact the local area. Selected by specialist concrete sub-contractor Keltbray to construct the building’s 65-metre core, Doka took an innovative approach to the formwork specification and assembly in order to accommodate 12 lift shafts, two lobbies and two staircases within the core’s construction. Architectural demands led to the walls of the two cores being constructed using Doka’s Slipform system. The project’s size and scale demanded a solution that facilitated a safe build at rapid speed. Doka Slipform delivered on both counts. The system enabled the pouring of about 80m3 of concrete per working day on the vast concrete structure. An additional benefit of Doka’s Slipform system was its easy maintenance and cleaning capability, enabling its readiness to begin effective operation during the strict council-allotted time provided. Up to 11 deliveries of ready mixed concrete per day were required in the construction process, resulting in Doka’s Slipform system exceeding the originally planned ‘climb’ target of 1.7 metres per day by an additional 0.3 metres. Doka’s excellent working relationship with Keltbray was key to the concreting aspect’s success. Even before the commencement of site activities, the partnership began with Doka’s specialist Slipform supervisor overseeing pre-assembly works in Keltbray’s yard facilities, an alternative approach to Doka traditionally offering pre-assembly works and labour from its own yard. With space severely restricted on-site, offsite assembly and delivery of the formwork was crucial in terms of operational safety, speed and efficiency. As part of its all-around customer service offering, Doka’s technical team attended the site to oversee the Slipform process and offer guidance when required. Doka’s innovative incorporation of two concrete placing booms onto the rig via one concrete line was requested by the contractor and the move was instrumental in facilitating a smooth concreting process. Unique to Doka’s Slipform equipment is its compatibility with a variety of Doka proprietary rental equipment. Potentially, this means customers can reuse equipment on a range of Slipform projects, which has long-term benefits in terms of cost and sustainability. The Aldermanbury Square project offered further valuable proof of Doka’s ability to design and supply formwork solutions for projects ranging in profile and complexity. The team’s skill in meeting ad-hoc challenges throughout the programme ensured the core’s time-efficient, high-precision completion. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MATRIX Housing Partnership is working effectively alongside turnkey solutions provider Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) to deliver a 905-property social housing retrofit programme that is demonstrating how to achieve economies of scale and best practice. The seven-member consortium of social housing providers is unique due their geographical spread across the South West, Midlands and Southern England, managed by multiple SBS regional teams, with parallel workstreams in each region. Once complete, more than 1,750 people will benefit from the works and 1.6 million kilogrammes of C02 emissions will be saved each year. After being awarded more than £12 million through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 2.1 and appointing SBS as the sole delivery partner to deliver the full £26m PAS2035-standard project, the Matrix Housing Partnership is on track to complete its planned programme by Spring 2025. Gary Lawson, managing director at SBS, said: “The work that we are delivering on behalf of Matrix Housing Partnership is a perfect example of retrofit collaboration and why the consortium model will be favoured by social housing providers in the future. There are substantial benefits for everyone involved when scaling projects with this method. Cost savings, strong partnerships, and sharing vital supply chains all converge to create efficient and productive processes that all project partners can reap the rewards from. “Social housing providers are able to more easily access funding, get projects off the ground more quickly and deal with less contract administration. Delivery partners can ensure continuous improvement with shared supply chains, explore new systems and technologies, and create new roles to grow the industry. Partners have been given the confidence to invest and undertake upskilling that will increase resilience and tenants are provided with warmer, more energy efficient homes that have lower bills and a better impact on the environment. “The feedback we have received so far from the consortium members and their tenants across various housing types has been tremendous. We all acknowledge the importance of the programme being delivered and are conscious that awareness must be raised on the advantages of working at scale. “During the SHDF Demonstrator we completed schemes for both Trident Housing Association and Trent & Dove Housing, so our existing relationships have also supported us in this scheme. Further learnings will not doubt be gained as we progress with the project and we look forward to sharing them with the housing industry as it continues its retrofit decarbonisation mission.” Matrix Housing Partnership includes GreenSquareAccord, Black Country Housing Group, Citizen Housing Group, Pioneer Housing and Community Group, Rooftop Housing Association, Trent & Dove Housing and Trident Housing Association. In addition to SBS, Savills and GJK Consultants are supporting the consortium with the project. The variety of retrofit measures being installed include external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, internal wall insulation, new windows and doors, loft insulation, ventilation upgrades, air source heat pumps, battery storage, low energy lighting and solar PV. The aim is for each property to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least C after the completion of works. Jason Holder, director of property at GSA, said: “We are proud to be leading the Matrix Housing Partnership’s decarbonisation project, which has already seen hundreds of homes benefit from energy efficiency upgrades. We are sharing best practice and maximising economies of scale through the consortium model. From the quality of measures installed through to the resident liaison approach, we know we’re receiving a good service and so too are our consortium partners.” For more information on SBS, visit: www.sustainablebuildinguk.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MURPHY Geospatial, a leading provider of geospatial solutions, has announced the appointment of three new managing directors across the UK and Ireland as part of its strategic growth. Richard Glenn will oversee operations in the UK, David Graham will lead in Ireland, and Andrew Masters will head up the organisation’s Monitoring Division. These appointments are pivotal in supporting the businesses vision for growth and innovation and enhancing their service delivery. The appointments follow the recent news of Murphy Geospatial’s acquisition by US firm, Woolpert. Richard Glenn, now Managing Director in the UK, brings a wealth of experience from his 20 years in the geospatial industry. His multifaceted background in new product development, technologies, CRM and business development will be instrumental in growing Murphy Geospatial position as a premier geospatial solutions provider in the UK. Richard is passionate about driving growth and development, focusing on sectors like manufacturing, infrastructure, and property to uncover new opportunities. David Graham, appointed as Managing Director in Ireland has been with the business for 25 years, through various phases of growth and innovation. His extensive experience spans large scale projects in gas, water, energy and infrastructure across Ireland and the UK. David, a chartered surveyor and fellow of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Geographical Society, will leverage his expertise to further strengthen the team, seek out new opportunities in high-growth sectors such as energy, utilities, infrastructure and renewables, and enhance Murphy Geospatial’s strong presence in Ireland while offering global geospatial solutions to the market. Andrew Masters, the new Managing Director of the Monitoring Division, has been with the business since 2011. With a background in site engineering and involvement in major projects such as London’s Elizabeth Line, HS2, and Vauxhall Station, Andrew has been pivotal in growing the monitoring division to more than 90 members of staff, with over 100 projects running at any one time. His ambition is to make Murphy Geospatial the largest provider and leading expert of monitoring solutions throughout Europe. Billy Roche, Chief Operating Officer, stated: “The appointments of Richard, David, and Andrew are a significant milestone for Murphy Geospatial. Their combined expertise and leadership will drive our business forward, ensuring we continue to deliver high-quality, innovative solutions to our clients. Each brings unique skills and insights that will enhance our operations and strategic growth across different regions and sectors.” Niall Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, added: “Having the best talent in our industry driving the business forward is a testament to our commitment to excellence. These appointments create a framework for growth and opportunity within the group. Our supportive culture enables every one of our employees to explore paths that align with their skills and interests, helping them reach their highest potential and we’re really proud of that. Richard, David, and Andrew’s leadership will be crucial to our ambitious growth plans.” The new Managing Directors will report directly to the COO, fostering a unified approach to scaling operations and enhancing technical capabilities across the organisation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A call by more than 400 of the UK’s leading climate scientists for all election hopefuls to commit to ambitious climate policies has been backed by European insulation specialist Actis. In an open letter to all political parties the academics are calling for five actions to help address climate change, including accelerating moves to help the UK adapt in the light of rising temperatures. The letter says residents are already feeling the effects of a warming planet and cite the summer heatwave of 2022 which saw thousands of excess deaths. Its authors add that if a party leader does not make addressing climate change a priority they “will place the prosperity and well-being of the British people at severe risk” and will not deserve the support of the electorate. Among the signatories is former government chief scientific adviser Prof Sir David King who played a pivotal role in getting the Climate Change Act over the line in 2008. Addressing the effects of climate change is an issue close to Actis’ heart. Its UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper explained: “Under Part O of the building regulations architects are obliged to limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings. Buildings insulated with certain types of insulation can make hot summers unbearable for the occupants. “But not all insulation has that effect. In fact, quite the reverse. Our newest product, two-in-one Eolis HC, and our long-established Hybrid range of insulation and insulating membranes can make a dramatic impact on the comfort of homes in hot weather. In fact Eolis HC reflects 95% of infrared radiation, thanks to the revolutionary Triplex technology from which it is created. “All this means that our products keep homes cool during the summer as well as keeping the warmth in during the winter. “While using reflective insulation alone is not the answer to addressing the impact of climate change, it will mitigate some of the effects by enabling houses to remain at a pleasant temperature.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following a successful pilot phase initiated last year, Ecophon is now fully operating SoundCircularity Reuse in Sweden. Contributing to Ecophon’s circular offer, the reuse initiative aims to reduce the carbon footprint and resource usage of acoustic products by providing an alternative to newly produced acoustic materials. Building on the promising outcomes of the pilot, Ecophon’s reuse service involves taking back used acoustic products from existing buildings, for instance in connection with reconstructions, renovations, or tenant customisations. Ecophon will subsequently pay for the additional time for a correct demounting. After a thorough screening program to assess the quality, the products are sold to customers again, as a positive option in new construction and renovation projects due to the lower impact on the climate than new materials. “We are proud to break new ground and lead the way towards circularity. Ecophon takes responsibility as a material supplier enabling extended product lifespans through reuse and recycling – instead of ending up in landfill. By reintroducing products into the market, we also support our clients in achieving their sustainability goals. Integrating reuse fully into our business model is a logical extension of our circularity offer,” says Pierre-Emmanuel Thiard, CEO at Ecophon. Ecophon is one of the first construction product manufacturers in Sweden with a complete business model for taking care of reused products and reselling them to the market. Ecophon glass wool acoustic panels are engineered to last long and are noted for their durability and ease of handling, making them particularly suitable for reuse. By providing a feasible alternative with reduced environmental impact compared to buying new, Ecophon is helping to meet the growing demand for reused building materials in Sweden. “We are excited to move forward with this full-scale launch. Ecophon Reuse service is compatible with the most standard products, which are found in almost all buildings, making it easy. The positive response from the pilot confirms the market’s readiness for such solutions, and we continue our collaboration with partners and customers in Sweden to develop practical solutions for material reuse,” adds Karina Wisniewska, Service Range Manager at Ecophon. The demand for reused and reusable materials in the building sector is both needed and rising. According to the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning, the construction and property sector accounts for more than a fifth of total greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden.1 Furthermore, the construction sector is responsible for over 35% of the EU’s total waste generation.2 Reused sound absorbents can both lower the climate impact of projects and reduce landfill. The reuse service is now fully operating in Sweden and will work alongside Ecophon’s award winning recycling service, which focuses on recycling panels that are not accepted for reuse. Read more about Ecophon’s reuse service and other sustainability initiatives here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading manufacturer of physical security systems, CLD, has announced it has acquired 100% of the shares in Cova Security Gates (CSG), in a multi-million-pound buy-out. As one of the largest suppliers of physical security systems in the UK, CLD offer tailored, trusted and durable security solutions to protect environments such as data centres, schools, transport hubs, manufacturing warehouses, high-profile sporting venues, open spaces, and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sites. The acquisition will fast track CLD’s growth aspirations as a global market leader in physical security products and further the company’s strategic goal of offering a complete suite of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) products, in house auto access products and increase CLD’s service and maintenance offering. Cova is the world’s first designer & manufacturer of the crash rated trackless bi-folding gate, with three decades of experience in the HVM sector. The company has over 14 crash rated solutions in its portfolio and is regarded as best in class on many fronts. With a 30,000sqft Cova factory on the outskirts of London with nearly 50 staff, this acquisition will prove highly beneficial to CLD clients across many sectors, including critical national infrastructure. CLD intend to grow the business significantly over the next 3-5 years, looking to add further testing, latest generation software and automation to ensure the systems remain cutting edge. CLD will be looking to drive efficiencies across the business especially in the area of production to reduce lead times and greatly enhance service level offerings. Jon Trott will remain as the Managing Director of the Cova business unit and will be supported by the CLD HQ (with its UK head office based in Cheshire) to help grow the business in every area. Russell Wells, CEO of CLD, comments: “Our business is growing rapidly and demand for innovative access control systems, which offer the highest level of security and sustainability, is continuing to rise. The acquisition of Cova is an important part of our growth aspirations as a global market leader and will allow us to offer a complete suite of HVM products and further meet the needs of the complex industries we operate in.” Jon Trott, Managing Director of Cova, added: “We are pleased to have completed this deal with a market leader such as CLD, which will enhance care of our loyal customer base, but also our existing team of 50 staff, who will continue operating from the same premises. Both companies’ values and ambitions align well and the acquisition will enable CLD to offer an expanded range of products and services.” For more information on CLD, please visit: www.cld-systems.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tool theft is an ongoing issue in many parts of the UK. In response to this, following the first reading of the bill in June 2022, the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 has been signed into law, with the government now consulting on whether to extend the bill’s requirements. To make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen tools and to help reunite them with their owners, manufacturers and resellers of high-value equipment will need to ensure that their items are registered and traceable if stolen. Additionally, forensic marking will assist police with investigations, making it easier to hold those who steal tools accountable. A recent survey found that power tools are the most sought-after items by thieves. Kent Police recovered more than 3,500 power tools, worth over a million pounds, in the South East of England. Officers from Kent Police and Thames Valley Police worked together to uncover the ‘large haul’, which was found at an address in Swattenden after thieves took a tool with a tracker on it. The tracker led Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, who began the investigation, to execute a warrant at the address on April 26, 2024. Besides power tools, other suspected stolen goods were found, including a quad bike confirmed to be stolen from Ashford and six caravans stolen from locations nationwide, including Bristol, Wales, Southampton, Staffordshire, and Sussex. Five local men, aged between 18 and 44, were arrested alongside a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of multiple offences relating to theft. They have since been bailed. Officers are now working to identify the rightful owners of the tools and are appealing for members of the public to get in contact if they believe their property could have been recovered. Recovered Items The recovered items include a variety of power tools and other equipment: Brands of the recovered items include DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, Hitachi, Stihl, and numerous other brands, such as those frequently purchased from SGS Engineering, a reputable supplier known for providing a comprehensive range of tools and equipment to various industries. The Impact of Tool Theft According to the Tradespeople Against Tool Theft white paper, 78% of tradespeople have had their tools stolen, with 38.5% having tools stolen from their van outside their home. Of these, only 1% fully recovered their stolen tools. On the Tools found that the average UK tradesperson is likely to have between £1,000 and £5,000 worth of tools stolen in just one incident, with self-employed tradespeople being 38% more likely than employed tradespeople to have their tools stolen. 10.6% of tradespeople said they had to take time off work while they found new equipment, and 13% had to pay for damage to repair their vehicle. A survey conducted by On the Tools found that the most common factor directly impacting a tradesperson’s mental health is their finances, with 65% of UK tradespeople surveyed reporting that their financial situation directly impacts their mental health. The average salary of tradespeople in the UK is £35,056 annually, equivalent to £535.78 per week after tax. This means that replacing tools worth £1,000 would take around two weeks’ worth of work, while the higher loss of £5,000 would take just over nine weeks’ worth of work. Factoring in additional costs such as van repairs or having to turn down work, the reality of this issue becomes clear. Notably, 83% of UK tradespeople did not have tool insurance at the time of their experience with tool theft. Personal Accounts Lee Dyer, a Water Hygiene Engineer, said, “I store work tools in my van and my concern is that if they get stolen, they aren’t insured and I’ll have to pay out of my own pocket to replace them. If I can’t afford them at that time, it will leave me out of work. Parking on the street, especially at night, used to always be a worry for me before we double-secured all of our vans.” Moreover, more than 2 in 3 (68%) tradespeople worry about tool theft daily, with over 1 in 3 (39%) agreeing that having tools stolen has had a strong impact on their mental health, a figure significantly higher for self-employed tradespeople. This isn’t an isolated issue; 37% of tradespeople said they had their tools stolen twice, and 4% said they had their supplies stolen more than five times. Jeff Macfarlane, a landscape gardener, currently stores his tools in his van, despite having tools stolen from it in the past. Initially, to avoid tool theft, he moved his tools from his van to his garage, only for thieves to later break into his garage and steal the tools again. This represents the catch-22 situation that many tradespeople face, and without adequate punishment for those who steal, many are beginning to see this as an inevitable part of their profession.
