Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative measures to require power tool manufacturers to include unique product code numbers to help deter rural crime.

We recognise the significant impact the theft of tools can have, especially on people who rely on these to earn a living.

We are committed to implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which aims to prevent the theft and re-sale of high-value equipment, particularly for use in an agricultural setting.

The Act requires secondary legislation before it can come into effect. We will be carefully considering the views of those who may be affected by the legislation and its regulations, to understand the potential implications and determine the scope of the legislation.