To: UK government and or NI assembly

Restrict the carrying of cordless angle grinders in public to tackle vehicle theft

Angle grinders have become the tool of choice for organized bike and motorcycle thieves. Powered by high-capacity lithium batteries, these tools allow criminal gangs to cut through heavy-duty chains, locks, and security anchors in public spaces in as little as under a minute.
Currently, carrying a power tool in public is not explicitly restricted unless intent to commit an offense can be proven on the spot—creating a significant hurdle for law enforcement trying to stop thefts before they happen.

We call on the government to:

Make it an offense to carry a cordless angle grinder in a public place without a reasonable excuse (such as documented trade, employment, or direct transport to a legitimate place of use).
Give police clear statutory powers to stop, search, and arrest individuals found carrying cordless grinders in suspicious circumstances where no lawful reason can be provided.
By creating a clear, dedicated legal standard around carrying high-powered cutting equipment in public, we can equip law enforcement with the tools they need to intervene early, protect property, and deter the rising wave of ebike and motorcycle theft across our communities.

Although existing legislation covers "going equipped for stealing" (Section 25 of the Theft Act 1968), proving intent at the moment of a stop-and-search can be difficult for officers. My proposal is to make carrying such equipment similar to existing offensive weapon laws—where the burden shifts to proving a legal exemption or "reasonable excuse"—as this is precisely what gives this approach its legal teeth.

Why is this important?

This is an ever increasing problem of anti social activity increasing a growing financial burden on victims and communities.