PHAM NEWS | MAY 2025 6 News Review


Majority say tool theft sentencing is too soft


Over half of UK adults (52%) believe sentencing for tool theft is too lenient, according to new research from Direct Line business insurance. The survey referenced a typical


Sentencing Council starting point for a standard tool theft, in which a criminal with ‘medium culpability’ who played ‘a significant role’ in a group theft of goods worth up to £10,000 is recommended a ‘high- level community order’. Over half (51%) believe community orders are not sufficient punishments for tool thefts of any kind. A significant majority (82%) also agree that theft from a van is at least as serious, if not more, than burglary from an office – despite carrying weaker sentences.


Meanwhile, 69% think that breaking into an office to steal equipment and breaking into a van to steal equipment should be treated with the same level of severity. The majority of those surveyed


(74%) agree that increasing the penalties for tool theft would send a clear message that the crime will no longer be tolerated. Tool theft is viewed as an increasing concern by tradespeople specifically, as seven in ten (70%) report having had tools stolen within the past two years. In a bid to help police forces collect accurate statistics, almost two thirds


Champion support


(63%) agree that theft of tools should have its own crime category. Not all police forces and constabularies record instances of tool theft in the same way, so it can be difficult to collect accurate statistics on the prevalence of the crime to understand the true scale of the issue. Asked about initiatives to tackle


tool theft, 59% of respondents said that they believed that the sale of second-hand tools at car boot fairs should be banned, while online sellers should be obliged to provide proof of purchase.


Smart stats add up to a big impact


New data released by Hive shows that over the last twelve years its smart thermostats have helped customers save a half a billion pounds on their energy bills, collectively cutting back on enough energy to power the entire planet for two and a half days and preventing 1.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions being emitted into the atmosphere. This data highlights the positive impact people


are able to make on the environment through their everyday actions. Gav Murray, Hive director of home heating,


Baxi has announced its sponsorship of elite professional heavyweight boxer Lewis Williams, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist from Leamington Spa. Baxi director Paul Haynes says: “Lewis is a fantastic athlete with an inspiring story. His dedication and ability to adapt align perfectly with Baxi’s brand values.” Lewis, who is signed with Queensberry Promotions, adds: “Having Baxi’s support means a lot to me. I’m proud to work with a company that values innovation and community. I look forward to representing them as I continue my journey in the ring.”


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says: “It’s astounding to see the collective impact our customers have made on both the planet and their wallets since Hive launched back in 2013. We’ve come a long way since then. What started as a single thermostat has transformed into the UK’s largest home eco-tech company, offering a range of solutions that transform householders’ ability to live greener, lower bills and control their energy. We want people to know their power – and today’s milestone shows what’s possible.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/525/05


HIP winner takes a bow


Jackson Gill from New College Durham has been crowned HIP Learner of the Year 2025, impressing the judges with his precision, technical expertise and attention to detail in tasks such as pipe bending, soldering, accurate measuring and working from a technical drawing. Dexter Pude from Ignite Training secured the runner-up title. Commenting on his win, Jackson


said: “I wasn’t expecting it at all. I just want to thank the sponsors for supporting this event because I couldn’t have done it without them.” The final took place at the Stafford


headquarters of the competition’s headline sponsor OB1, following a series of intense nationwide heats held earlier this year. Jackson and Dexter competed for the top prizes with five other talented finalists over a rigorous two-day practical contest. Other sponsors included Plumb


Centre, Milwaukee, Viessmann, Aalberts IPS, Corgi Services, EAL, Kingspan, Mark Vitow Ltd, Stelrad, Triton Showers, Watersafe, Wilo, Fix Radio, Snickers Workwear, Talon, The Worshipful Company of Plumbers, Yorkshire Copper Tube


Jackson Gill, HIP Learner of the Year


and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE). Zoë Tanner, MD at HIP, says: “This


year’s final has been a true showcase of hands-on talent and technical excellence. Each competitor demonstrated outstanding skill, precision and professionalism under real-life scenarios. The quality of work has been exceptional, setting a high benchmark for future competitions and showing just how bright the future of plumbing really is.”


Best Buy at home in temple


Worcester Bosch has donated a new boiler to the Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Leeds as part of a nationwide scheme marking 15 years of Which? Best Buy status. Installed for free by Thethi Builders, the initiative supports non-profits by improving heating access in community spaces, helping them stay warm, energy-efficient and better equipped for winter.


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