PHAM NEWS | JUNE 2025 6 News Review


Promising start to the year for UK merchants


Tool thefts reported every 21 minutes last year


Police forces around the UK recorded a tool theft on average every 21 minutes last year, reveals a Freedom of Information data obtained by Direct Line business insurance. Over 25,525 tool thefts were reported to police last year, equating to 70 tool thefts per day, with the total value of tools stolen estimated to be £40 million. The good news is that tool theft has fallen by 18% compared to the previous year, a significant decline after at least four years of rising numbers since Direct Line first began reporting tool theft figures in 2020. However, it is thought that there is a possibility that with the crime so prevalent many tradespeople have potentially stopped reporting it and, despite the reported decline in thefts overall, tool theft remains a growing concern among tradespeople, with 65% believing it has increased over the past year. Tool thefts from a vehicle


specifically totalled 12,414 in 2024, accounting for almost half (49%) of thefts overall. Police forces with the highest levels of tool theft recorded per resident in included the City of London Police, West Yorkshire, and Hertfordshire. But when isolated to tool thefts from a vehicle, Hertfordshire Constabulary comes out on top. While most police forces reported a fall in tool theft, some areas of the


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country continued to experience a rise in numbers, with the largest increases appearing in Derbyshire (up by 36%) and Dorset (31%). When it comes to the general


public, further research from Direct Line business insurance found that almost three in 10 Brits (28%) have purchased second-hand tools, but three quarters (75%) would not feel confident identifying stolen tools being resold, highlighting the extent to which stricter regulation on the resale of tools could help reduce the frequency of these thefts by making their payoff less accessible. Mark Summerville, SME product manager at Direct Line business insurance, comments: “It’s important that all instances of tool theft are reported so police forces and lawmakers understand the full extent of the issue helping them to identify offender patterns and to allocate resources to combat these crimes. “Tool theft remains a huge


concern for tradespeople across the country. Our data shows the value of each tool theft claim is actually on the rise, even though the overall volume of claims is moving downwards. The tool theft problem in the UK is still devastating for our many hardworking tradespeople who contribute so much to our lives and the economy.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/625/01


Plumbing and heating merchants had a strong start to 2025, with sales up 4% in the first quarter compared to last year, thanks to more products sold even as prices dipped slightly. Despite global uncertainty and economic challenges, monthly and quarterly sales also rose, showing the sector’s resilience. This is according to the latest


Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report, published in May, which shows that volume sales increased +5.7% and prices slipped 1.6%. There was no difference in trading days. Quarter-on-quarter, total value


sales for January to March 2025 were +3.5% higher than Q4 2024 (October to December 2024). Volume sales were up (+3.0%), as were prices (+0.5%). However, with two additional trading days


in the most recent period, like-for- like sales were flat (+0.2%). Q1 total value sales were given


a boost by March sales, which jumped +12.1% compared to March 2024. Year-on-year, volume sales rose +9.6% and prices also increased +2.4%. There was one more trading day this year, so like- for-like sales were +6.8% higher.


On the March Month-on-month, March value sales were +6.9% higher than February too. Volume sales were +4.9% up, and prices climbed +2.0%. An extra trading day in March meant like-for-like value sales were +1.8% higher. Total value sales in the 12 months


from April 2024 – March 2025 were up +1.2% against the same


period a year before. Volume sales were stronger (+5.8%), but there was a decrease in prices (-4.4%). With four extra trading days in the latest 12-month period, like-for- like value sales were largely in line (-0.4%). Mike Rigby, MD of MRA Research, which produces the report, comments: “To say it’s been a tempestuous start to the year would be a considerable understatement. Given the chaotic backdrop, merchants’ year-on- year March sales, and year-on-year Q1 sales are more robust than we could have expected. Admittedly, March 2024 and Q1 2024 were nothing to shout about, but month- on-month and quarter-on-quarter sales are also positive.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/625/02


Installer fined over illegal marketing calls


A Newcastle-based sole trader has been fined £50,000 for making more than 194,000 unlawful marketing calls to individuals registered with the UK’s Telephone Preference Service (TPS). Darian Bishop, who trades under


the name ECO4U, was found to have made unsolicited calls promoting grants for boilers and solar panels. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said some recipients were misled into believing the calls were linked to a government scheme. Under UK law, it is illegal to make marketing calls to TPS-registered numbers unless the individuals have given explicit consent. The ICO said Bishop failed to take reasonable steps to comply with this requirement.


or even using the platform. The investigation also found that Bishop did not provide sufficient information for people to identify who was calling them, and that he failed to take reasonable steps to prevent breaches of the law. Call recipients described the


An ICO investigation, launched


in October 2023 after 21 complaints were received, concluded that Bishop had not obtained valid consent from the people called. He claimed people had opted in through a Facebook advertisement, but those contacted by the ICO denied completing such forms


approach as threatening and misleading, with some saying they felt pressured or misinformed about the caller’s identity and intentions. In several instances, the calls gave the impression of being affiliated with official government programmes, such as the Green Deal. Bishop had previously been


investigated in 2015 for similar conduct involving persistent sales calls and deceptive claims linked to free boiler offers.


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