Police have confiscated an estimated £80,000 worth of suspected stolen power tools during a targeted operation at a west London car boot sale.
Major Haul and Arrests at Hounslow
The Metropolitan Police executed the operation at the Hounslow Heath car boot sale on 11 December. Officers recovered approximately 400 suspected stolen items, leading to the arrest of four individuals. Those detained include two men, aged 55 and 54, and two 15-year-old boys, all on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
The seized property comprised a wide array of equipment vital to tradespeople. The haul included:
- Power drills
- Nail guns
- Electric saws
- A concrete mixer
Political Spotlight and Police Response
The police action follows a visit to the sale last month by Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick. He posted a video on social media expressing concerns about the potential sale of stolen goods at the location, bringing the issue into the public eye.
Superintendent James Rawlinson, from Hounslow's neighbourhood policing team, emphasised the force's commitment to tackling the problem. "We are listening to Londoner's concerns about tool theft because we understand the significant impact it has on tradespeople and their livelihoods," he stated. "We are targeting the prolific offenders and organised criminal groups that drive this trade in stolen tools through proactive, intelligence-led operations."
A Wider Crackdown on Tool Crime
This seizure is part of a broader Metropolitan Police campaign against tool theft. The force reports that, as a result of its targeted operations, tool theft between April and December this year fell by 20.3% compared to the same period last year.
In earlier actions this year, officers seized over £500,000 worth of stolen tools during operations at two large-scale boot sales and associated premises in Romford and Rainham, making several arrests.
To assist in recovering stolen property, police advise power tool owners to take preventative steps:
- Mark your tools visibly.
- Photograph your equipment.
- Record all serial numbers.
These measures significantly increase the chances of items being returned to their rightful owners if they are stolen.
