Richard is supporting the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill that is currently progressing through Parliament.
Speaking about the Bill, Richard said:
"I’m backing the Stop Tool Theft Bill to make sentencing harsher for those that steal tools from hardworking people.
There’s lots of people in Basildon and Billericay that rely on the tools in their van to make a living, and it’s totally unacceptable that they are at a heightened risk of being targeting by criminals.
I’ve also had it reported to me about hotspot locations where vans are targeted, and I have been raising this with Essex Police. That’s why I’m very happy to see the police successfully catching criminals red-handed in Rainham who stole a whopping £50,000 worth of tools from our area.
This Bill would act as a further deterrent to thieves but to also punish them for their audacity when stealing tools, and I’ll be giving my full support to get it over the line."
