ThiefStop by Heatlab: The Alarm That Stops Thieves in Their Tracks
Every tradesman knows the feeling — pulling up to the van in the morning and spotting the damage. The handle’s bent, the lock’s been drilled, or worse — the back doors are wide open. Tools gone. Jobs cancelled. Gut-wrenching.
I’ve been there myself. That moment when your stomach drops because you realise everything you’ve built your livelihood on — your tools, your gear, your trade — has been taken overnight. It’s infuriating, it’s personal, and it’s expensive. That’s one of the reasons I designed ThiefStop through my company Heatlab, a brand built by British engineers who know what it’s like to work on-site, in the rain, out of the van, day after day.
This isn’t another generic alarm. ThiefStop was created out of frustration — because most so-called “van alarms” on the market simply aren’t fit for purpose.
Tool Theft: The Hidden Epidemic in the Trades
Let’s face the facts. Tool theft in the UK is out of control:
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In 2023, over 44,000 tool thefts were reported — that’s one every 12 minutes.
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£98 million worth of tools were stolen in a single year.
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Over 50% of all thefts happened directly from vehicles — usually vans.
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The average loss per tradesperson? Around £1,700, not counting lost jobs or income.
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The total estimated cost to the trade each year is £264 million once you factor in repairs and downtime.
And that’s just what’s reported. Ask around any builder’s yard, electrical wholesaler, or plumbing merchants — almost everyone knows someone who’s been hit. Some more than once.
For tradesmen like us, our tools aren’t just tools — they’re our identity and income. When they’re stolen, it’s not just the financial hit. It’s the stress, the delays, and the helplessness. Insurance rarely covers everything, and cheap replacement tools never feel the same.
That’s why we decided to do something about it.
Why Most Alarms Fail When It Matters
When I started looking for alarms after my own theft, I couldn’t believe how poor the options were.
Almost every “budget” alarm had the same problems:
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Weak plastic brackets that snap if you even nudge them — let alone if a thief gives the alarm a whack.
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Paper-thin casings that aren’t weatherproof and can be crushed with a hammer.
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Pathetic battery life — some drain in a month or two, meaning they’re dead when you actually need them.
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Tiny, tinny sirens that sound more like a toy than a 120-decibel deterrent.
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Awkward remotes and unreliable sensors, often giving false alarms until people stop using them altogether.
Most of them looked like they were designed for garden sheds, not a tradesman’s van worth £10,000+ in tools.
That’s where ThiefStop is different.
Designed by Engineers, Tested by Tradesmen
At Heatlab, we build products that solve real-world problems for working people — plumbers, electricians, builders, roofers, decorators, anyone who makes a living out of their van. We make the tools that make your life easier — and now, the alarm that protects them.
ThiefStop was engineered with one purpose: to stop thieves in their tracks.
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120 dB high-power siren — the moment the motion sensor is triggered, it unleashes a piercing, disorienting blast. It’s the sound of “get out now.”
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Six-month battery life — real, tested figures. Fit it and forget it. No constant recharging.
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Rugged mount and solid bracket — thick, reinforced metal design that doesn’t snap or shake loose. Once it’s on, it’s on.
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Smart motion detection — detects real movement, not just vibrations or gusts of wind.
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Compact PIR design — easy to mount, no wiring needed, and blends into your van or shed interior.
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Remote-control activation — arm or disarm from your fob in seconds.
It’s not overcomplicated. It’s not fragile. It’s built for the job — just like your tools.
Why Every Tradesperson Needs a Van Alarm Like ThiefStop
1. It’s a real deterrent
Thieves don’t like attention. A loud, instantly triggered alarm doesn’t just scare them — it ruins their plan. They know the longer they hang around, the higher the chance of getting caught.
2. It protects your tools and reputation
If your tools go missing, so does your next day’s work. Missed jobs mean disappointed customers and a hit to your reputation. ThiefStop helps keep your business running smoothly.
3. It works where others fail
Most cheap alarms aren’t designed for the cold, damp, and vibration of a trade van. Ours is. It’s been tested in real conditions, by real tradespeople.
4. No false alarms
No one wants a siren going off every time a lorry drives past. Our motion sensor has been tuned to react only when it matters — real movement inside the protected area.
5. Install in minutes
You don’t need to be an electrician to fit it. Mount it, arm it, and it’s live. That’s it.
Real World Scenarios: How ThiefStop Saves the Day
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Early morning job site: You’ve parked outside a customer’s house overnight. Someone tries the door — the ThiefStop alarm screams instantly, waking the street and forcing the thief to flee.
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Weekend garage: You’ve got expensive tools stored while you’re off-site. Motion is detected inside — ThiefStop triggers, alerting everyone nearby before damage is done.
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Shared yard or site compound: One alarm covers the lot. A motion trigger sends a 120 dB blast echoing through the space, sending would-be thieves running.
This is about buying time — the few crucial seconds that turn an attempted theft into a failed one.
Small Cost. Massive Protection.
You can spend £300 on a new combi drill or £400 on a multi-tool set without blinking. Yet a £31.99 alarm could stop someone stealing the lot.
Think about that.
Even if you’ve got locks, cages, or deadbolts, an audible alarm adds the most important security layer — attention. A thief can break a lock quietly. They can’t steal tools quietly with a 120 dB siren going off inside the van.
Designed in Britain. Built for the Trade.
Heatlab is a British company run by engineers and tradesmen who design tools that actually make life easier. ThiefStop is just one of them — and we’re proud to say it’s already helping protect vans, garages, sheds, and workshops across the UK.
It’s not a toy alarm, it’s not cheap plastic, and it’s not going to die after two months. It’s trade-grade protection you can trust.
Because once you’ve had your tools stolen, you’ll never want to experience that feeling again — and with ThiefStop, you shouldn’t have to.
Ready to Protect Your Livelihood
Stop waiting until it happens to you. Whether you’re a plumber, builder, spark, or landscaper — ThiefStop gives you the extra layer of defence that could save your van, your tools, and your week’s work.
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Easy to fit
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120 dB siren
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6-month battery life
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Rugged trade-tested design
👉 Order ThiefStop now at heatlab.uk/pages/thiefstop and stop thieves in their tracks.
Designed by a British engineer. Trusted by tradesmen. Built to protect what’s yours.
ThiefStop by Heatlab — because tool theft stops here.