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

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?’ 

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.’