On Tuesday 29th April, the ITS Harlow store became the centre of a community-led initiative to fight back against the widespread issue of tool theft. Teaming up with security specialists and campaigning voices, ITS gave away FREE SelectaDNA Tool Marking Kits to support local tradespeople in securing their equipment.
Tool theft has become one of the biggest threats facing UK trades, with rising cases affecting workers’ ability to earn and costing the sector millions each year. ITS, alongside Trades United and Shoaib Awan (thegasexpert), responded with an event focused on giving practical, preventative support to those most vulnerable.
The centrepiece of the initiative was SelectaDNA—a state-of-the-art forensic marking system that allows tradespeople to mark and register their tools, making them uniquely identifiable and much harder for criminals to profit from. The campaign is part of a larger push to shift behaviours, improve awareness, and bring down theft rates through education and action.
The event also received backing from leading industry brands including CT1, Armorgard, Veloctity and Fix Radio, who were present on the day offering tool security tips, product demonstrations, and radio coverage to raise awareness even further.
“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.”
This local action echoes the growing momentum of the Trades United movement online, which continues to push for stronger protections, better legislation, and wider awareness of the issue affecting workers up and down the country.
Tradespeople who want to protect their tools but missed the event can still get involved—SelectaDNA kits are now available to purchase directly at its.co.uk.
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
