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Dozens of tradesman take over central London with go-slow protest demanding harsher punishments for tool thieves

5 months ago 34

By Katherine Lawton

Published: 16:52 BST, 3 June 2024 | Updated: 16:57 BST, 3 June 2024

Dozens of trade vehicles drove slowly around Westminster today in protest against tool theft which they claim is harming their businesses. 

The protest, organised by Trades United, is demanding stricter enforcement of existing laws and greater accountability for people who sell stolen tools. 

The demonstration involved tradesmen sounding their horns and driving slowly around London's Parliament Square in a bid to raise awareness about the theft of tools. 

Photos show workers using megaphones to shout from inside their vehicles, which were decorated with slogans such as 'tool theft is on the rise' and 'where is the law?' 

) A tradesperson taking part in the demonstration uses a megaphone to express his frustration

Around 100 trade vehicles slow drive around Westminster to protest against tool theft

One person dressed up as a human-sized spanner for the protest 

One man can be seen wearing a T-shirt with 'Stop stealing my s***' written on it

Stickers are placed on the vehicles for the protest, as Trades United demands better legal protection for tradespeople

One man can be seen wearing a T-shirt with 'stop stealing my s***' written on it - while another came dressed as a giant spanner for the event. 

Some tradesmen posed for photos from within their vehicles, clenching their fists or giving a thumbs up in a show of support. 

Police tried to control the traffic as they attended the demonstration earlier today. 

MailOnline has contacted the Met Police for comment. 

Reacting to the protest on social media platform X, one person wrote: 'There's a tradesmen's protest currently taking place in Westminster, with cars and vans endlessly sounding their horns to protest the theft of trade tools.'

Police attempt to control the traffic as Trades United demands better legal protection for tradespeople

A sticker reading 'Where is the law?' is placed on a vehicle for the demonstration 

Stickers are placed on the vehicles for the protest in Westminster today 

A tradesperson taking part in the demonstration offers a 'thumbs-up' as he drives around Parliament Square

A tradesperson taking part in the demonstration uses a megaphone from within his vehicle 

Around 100 trade vehicles slow drive around Westminster to protest against the plague of tool theft

The protest, organised by Trades United, is demanding stricter enforcement of existing laws and greater accountability for people who sell stolen tools

Stickers are placed on the vehicles for the protest in Westminster earlier today 

Vans drive around Westminster in London today to protest against tool theft 

A man uses a megaphone from inside his vehicle during the protest today 

Around 100 trade vehicles slow drive around Westminster to protest against the plague of tool theft that harms their businesses

A tradesperson clenches his fist as he slow drives around Parliament square

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