Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Wickes, the building supplies specialist, has unveiled Anguish, a sculpture created to mark the start of its nationwide campaign to address tool theft.
The 2.4m sculpture, unveiled in Leeds, West Yorkshire, was built by artist Ptolemy Elrington, and represents the stress and financial strain caused to tradespeople by tool theft.
The sculpture will tour the country as part of Wickes’ Theft Prevention Community Events, held in partnership with security specialist DeterTech. It forms part of Wickes’ pledge to mark over 260,000 tools for free across the UK in 2026.
The campaign follows Wickes’ Mood of the Nation survey, conducted by Trinity McQueen in February 2026, which found that tool theft affects more than a third of UK tradespeople.
Wickes will also be working with its charity partner, Campaign Against Living Miserably, to ensure emotional support is available for those affected at each event.
- Wickes Wolverhampton – 3rd June, (9am-1pm)
- Wickes Northampton – 9th June, (9am-3pm)
- Wickes Rayleigh – 17th June, (9am-1pm)
- Wickes Minworth – 30th June, (9am-1pm)
- FixFest in Northampton – 11th July
