Tools stolen

[senor_fabulous]

Just had my hand tools stolen from a factory that does panel wiring, not far off £600 worth. Sent a letter to the boss, with a police crime ref no. a list of the stolen tools, and giving 28 days for them to be found. If nothing is done can I take them to court. As always your help and advice is appreciated.

 

[Marvo]

Are you saying the tools were in someone else's premises? Did you loan or rent them out?

 

[senor_fabulous]

kept on the premises, next to where I was working. Not in a locker or sitebox. On induction I was told i could keep them there, nothing ever gets nicked - blah blah blah

 

[Marvo]

Are the police investigating a break in or does evidence point to one of the staff or someone with access?

 

[senor_fabulous]

not a break in, gotta be one of the lads working there, reported it to the police and they just gave me a crime reference number, so hopefully their insurance will cover it

 

[johnboy6083]

I wouldn't be do sure. My friend had tools stolen from the back of the work van, whilst he was pulled over in a petrol station, he was also in the van! The firm wouldn't cover him!

 

[Marvo]

not a break in, gotta be one of the lads working there, reported it to the police and they just gave me a crime reference number, so hopefully their insurance will cover it

It's a sad sorry state of affairs when a guy steals another guys tools. Doesn't get any lower than that in my book.
I can imagine they may not want to claim insurance, I'm sure they will have an excess which the company would have tp pay and their premiums will go up especially if they have had cause to make a claim recently.
I'm not sure where you stand legally, maybe try get advice from a Citizens Advice Center if you can.

 

[Spazz]

is anything put in writing that you can leave your tools there and they will be safe? - If there is you can claim on your insurance but against theirs.
Is there any signs up saying all items are left at owners own risk - if there is you don't have a leg to stand on.

Its all the same situation where unless something is put in writing then nothing you can do about it - a lesson to learn - keep your tools on you at all times.

Question is how much is your insurance excess?
Is the Manager decent about it?
Is the Manager that bothered that you cant complete the work on his site?
Who told you that you can keep your tools there overnight - site manager or a member of staff? - If it was the site manager then send him an invoice - give him 30 days to pay up and then take him to small claims court - if he does not respond to the court then he will have a CCJ to pay you back.

If you send me a PM with the sign writing company I will happily do a credit check on them free of charge for you and send it to you - just give me your email address.


Good Luck

 

[senor_fabulous]

i have jacked, no signs up that i can think of, it was a senior member of staff who did the induction. One of the lads moved my tools and put them somewhere for safekeeping as they were moving stuff around the factory, now he cant find them

 

[a1guvner]

i have jacked, no signs up that i can think of, it was a senior member of staff who did the induction. One of the lads moved my tools and put them somewhere for safekeeping as they were moving stuff around the factory, now he cant find them

Sounds likely, scum of the earth people who steal another trades ability to provide for their family, good luck in getting them back....

 

[Dave-Titan]

pure scum mate, see this all the time on big sites. after a mate got his nicked, i never leave mine on site. really hope you get them back or a pay out.

 

[Spazz]

Well the person who moved them is responsible.

As long as they admit that they moved them to the manager of the site then they are liable.

If you can get that in writing then that will really stand up in court.

It might be a simple case of moving them somewhere safe - so safe they cant remember - lol

If you want me o do a credit check then let me know


As an Idea for future if you put on the job contract sheet that they sign to agree to the work going ahead - all tool left at their site over night are their responsibly unless there are obvious signs of a break in.
Have a little box they tick to state they dont want tools left at their site overnight.
That way those who dont read the contract and sign away are fully liable including those who read and sign but dont tick - as long as you have an opt out your fine.

 

[alarm man]

have the police been to the factory,insist they do if they have not,its a crime simple as,funny how the site of the polis walking around asking questions can get things to magically re-appear,a couple of years back i had my steps and ladders nicked off my van,police came round knocking on doors etc,i was impressed mind,ive had the crime number only thing when tools have been nicked before,but your loss at £600 is no petty crime,imagine if someone robbed a shop of £600

 

[senor_fabulous]

thanks for the advice guys, as the lads are saying pure scum, if they have been sold on only £100 maybe £150 for second hand tools. Pure desperate lowlife scumbag, its a few quid to them but its my living, I cant turn up with no tools. No tools = No Work = No Money. Can I claim for loss of earnings.

 

[alarm man]

thanks for the advice guys, as the lads are saying pure scum, if they have been sold on only £100 maybe £150 for second hand tools. Pure desperate lowlife scumbag, its a few quid to them but its my living, I cant turn up with no tools. No tools = No Work = No Money. Can I claim for loss of earnings.

i doubt you will get anything from the factory,you need the polis to turn up and they might stir themselves into action,other than that its a stat im afraid..agree tho id string people up who steal a tradesmans tools..its stealing food from your table..