2.4m 'Anguish' sculpture unveiled at Trinity Leeds to expose plight faced by tradespeople
Built from hundreds of reclaimed spanners and power tools, the 2.4m artwork has been launched in the heart of the city centre to expose the devastating financial and mental toll of trade crime
A striking new sculpture has been unveiled at Trinity Leeds to highlight the profound financial and emotional turmoil faced by the nation’s tradespeople following tool theft.
Commissioned by home improvement retailer Wickes, the 2.4-meter-tall artwork, titled Anguish, was officially revealed inside the busy city centre shopping hub, highlighting West Yorkshire's position as one of the hardest-hit regions in the United Kingdom for trade-related crime.
Created by renowned recycling artist Ptolemy Elrington over the course of 400 hours, the jagged structure is built entirely from reclaimed spanners and power tools, with the latter deliberately dominating the piece as they represent the most commonly stolen items.
The physical installation serves as a stark representation of a national crisis exposed in recent research by the retailer.
The findings reveal that over a third of British tradespeople have fallen victim to tool theft, with the average value of stolen goods totalling more than £2,500 per individual, forcing the vast majority of victims to replace their equipment using personal savings.
The repercussions of these crimes extend far beyond the immediate financial hit; according to the data, over one in five affected tradespeople suffer from ongoing stress and anxiety, while others have been left completely unable to work or are actively considering leaving the trade industry altogether.
In response to the growing issue, the home improvement firm is launching a significant campaign to support the trade community, which includes a pledge to forensically mark over 260,000 tools for free throughout the year.
West Yorkshire has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s primary hotspots for tool theft, making Leeds a highly significant location for the launch of the national campaign.
By placing the jagged artwork directly in front of the local community, organisers hope to spark an urgent conversation regarding the vulnerability of local tradespeople.
Following its initial debut in the city, the installation is scheduled to tour the country, appearing at specialised trade festivals and community prevention events to raise widespread awareness.
In addition to raising visual awareness, a major preventative initiative is being rolled out alongside the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably to address the emotional impact of these crimes.
The retailer will be distributing free forensic marking kits at upcoming community events, utilising specialist invisible liquid technology that glows under ultraviolet light to deter thieves and help recover stolen property.
For those experiencing anxiety or uncertainty following a theft, dedicated support services and resources are being promoted through the charity partnership to ensure trade workers have a safe space to discuss their struggles.
Simon Gunning, CEO of Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) explains: “The fallout from tool theft is often underestimated. Beyond the immediate financial hit, tradespeople face uncertainty, anxiety, and feelings of vulnerability.
“CALM is proud to partner with Wickes to bring this crucial aspect of the issue to the forefront and encourage tradespeople to talk about their struggles, whilst feeling supported.”