Harlow, UK. 1st May 2025 – In a united effort to combat the rising epidemic of tool theft across the UK, the ITS Harlow branch hosted a major awareness and action event on Tuesday, 29th April. Partnering with leading security innovators and advocacy groups, the event saw the distribution of FREE SelectaDNA Tool Marking Kits to local tradespeople.
Tool theft remains one of the most pressing challenges faced by trades across the country, affecting livelihoods and costing the industry millions annually. In response, ITS, in collaboration with Trades United and Shoaib Awan (thegasexpert), took decisive action by putting preventative solutions directly into the hands of those at risk.
At the heart of the campaign was SelectaDNA, a cutting-edge forensic marking technology that helps tradespeople mark and register their tools, making them uniquely traceable and significantly less appealing to thieves. This initiative forms part of a wider national campaign aimed at raising awareness, improving security habits, and driving down theft rates.
The event also welcomed support from key industry names including CT1, Armorgard, Veloctity & Fix Radio, each reinforcing the message with live demos, advice on secure storage, and radio coverage amplifying the campaign’s urgency.
“We know the damage tool theft does—not just to business, but to people’s lives,” said an ITS spokesperson. “By offering these kits for free and partnering with such committed brands, we’re making it harder for criminals to get away with it—and making a statement that the trades community is stronger when we act together.”
The Harlow event follows increasing momentum online from the Trades United movement, whose members have been actively campaigning for more awareness, legislation, and support for affected workers.
The SelectaDNA kits are now available to purchase at its.co.uk for those who wish to ramp up security for their tools.
For more on the campaign or to get involved, follow:
- @Trades_United and @TheGasExpert on Instagram
- @its_co_uk on Instagram
- Or visit www.its.co.uk