Terribly, this can have tragic consequences, and an average of 687 skilled trade workers died by suicide each year between 2019-2021, according to the latest government data. In 2021, tradespeople accounted for 15% of suicides across all industries, which is more than any other occupation.

To raise awareness of the issue and visualise this heart-breaking statistic, we have created a giant piece of artwork made up of 687 high-vis vests, representing the annual suicide figure in the industry. 

By doing so, we are aiming to put mental health in high visibility and encourage more conversations around the topic, so that tradespeople can take the first steps to improving their own situation.

The vests were expertly stitched together into one 12-metre-tall garment by J&C Joel, one of the world’s leading fabric manufacturers. It is being displayed throughout Mental Health Awareness Week (15th-21st May) at the Galliford Try site on Charing Cross Road, in the heart of London's West End.

You can view our full Mental Health in the Trades report for 2023 here.

For more information about Basildon Mind and the services it offers 

For more support specific to the construction industry 

Or: https://www.matesinmind.org/construction.html

To speak to someone about your mental health, visit the Construction Industry Helpline  

Our annual Mental Health in the Trades report has once again shone a light on the worrying scale of mental health problems within the industry, with more than four in five (84%) UK tradespeople experiencing work-related stress.

Putting mental health in high visibility 

To find out more about TradeXtra, visit our previous blog Get Xtra with TradeXtra

What do ‘150,000 loyalty points’ mean?

Customers with a TradeXtra Account have access to our TradeXtra Rewards programme, meaning they can earn points on every single purchase and redeem these points for rewards.

One lucky winner will have 150,000 points credited to their TradeXtra Rewards account to spend on whatever they choose, from a huge catalogue of rewards, such as:

Holiday for 2 in the Maldives – 149,532 points

Short Break to New York – 92,323 points

4 Days of Golf at Penha Longa Portugal – 71,390 points

Tag Heuer Formula One Watch – 32,534 points

Theatre Breakaway in London – 25,410 points

Scalextric ARC Pro Race Set – 11,917 points

Rowlinson Trentvale 10x8 Metal Shed – 10,125 points

Claud Butler Edge HT Men’s Mountain Bike – 6,210 points

Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette 200ml – 3,327 points

Ray-Ban Aviator Polarised Gents Sunglasses Gunmetal 58mm – 3,264 points

De'Longhi Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus Coffee Machine - 2,061 points

Kid’s Xootz Stunt Scooter – 1,003 points

Over 120 different gift cards including supermarkets, shops and leisure – from 110 points

Anyone who has a TradeXtra Account and has registered for TradeXtra Rewards on or before 12th January 2025 will be automatically entered into the prize draw.  Whether you were switched to a TradeXtra Account from your old Trusted Trade Account, or you’ve opened a new TradeXtra Account since it went live, you are eligible to apply for a TradeXtra Rewards.  Anyone who has signed up to TradeXtra Rewards will be automatically entered into the prize draw!

There are many reasons to join TradeXtra.  If you are a limited business, sole trader or other organisation operating in the public or not-for-profit sector, why not get rewarded for what you do and enjoy a smooth and worthwhile shopping experience with us?

The application process is quick and easy, with three simple steps to get your TradeXtra Account up and running, enabling you to benefit from credit, the ability to pay off your trade account online and start reaping the rewards as quickly as possible!

For full details and to start your TradeXtra journey visit ironmongerydirect.co.uk/tradextra.

Sign up by Sunday 12th January 2025 to be in with a chance to win!

The draw is open to individuals registered with TradeXtra Rewards by 11:59 PM (GMT) Sunday 12th January 2025. No purchase necessary.  All eligible participants will be automatically entered, and one winner will be selected at random.  The draw will take place on or before Friday 17th January 2025, with the winner notified via their registered contact details.  If the winner does not respond within 14 days, an alternate winner may be selected.

The prize is 150,000 loyalty points, redeemable on products/services in the TradeXtra Rewards catalogue, and must be redeemed by Tuesday 30th September 2025.  Points will be credited to the winner's account within 14 days of prize acceptance.  Loyalty points are not transferable, and no cash or credit alternatives are available.  Reward values and qualifying products may change over the programme duration without prior notice.

Please also refer to the standard prize draw T&Cs on our website.  The Organiser is not responsible for any delays outside of their control and reserves the right to modify or cancel the draw in unforeseen circumstances.

To celebrate the launch of TradeXtra, our new benefits package designed exclusively for the trade, anyone who has opened a TradeXtra Account and registered for TradeXtra Rewards by 12th January 2025 will be automatically entered into our prize draw to win 150,000 loyalty points!

WIN 150,000 loyalty points with TradeXtra!

Say goodbye to our old Trusted Trade Account and hello to TradeXtra, our new and improved benefits package, exclusive to the trade, which offers up to £10k instant credit, access to our loyalty programme, exclusive discounts, offers and more.

Easy account management with online payments.

Access to our TradeXtra Rewards programme.

Early access to promotions and competitions.

 Our upgraded rewards loyalty programme offers even more ways to benefit.  When signing up for a TradeXtra Account, you can join TradeXtra Rewards to start earning points on every single purchase and redeem these points for rewards.  You must have a TradeXtra Account in order to join TradeXtra Rewards.  Here’s what you get:

Receive loyalty points when you buy any product from our huge range.

Earn 1 point for every £2 spent with IronmongeryDirect.

Redeem points against our massive catalogue of rewards, with thousands to choose from!

Points are credited 30 days after invoice issued.

There are many reasons to join TradeXtra.  If you are a limited business, sole trader or other organisation operating in the public or not-for-profit sector, why not get rewarded for what you do and enjoy a smooth and worthwhile experience when you shop with us?  

We’re here to help and want to make shopping with us the best possible experience for all.  That’s why we’ve made the application process quick and easy with three simple steps to get your TradeXtra account up and running and enable you to benefit from credit, pay off your trade account online and reap the rewards as quickly as possible!

We’ve been working hard to bring something special to the trade – and now, we're excited to unveil TradeXtra, our brand-new benefits package designed exclusively for the trade!

We issued Freedom of Information requests to local authorities to ask how many CCTV cameras they operate, and how this compares to two years ago, when we launched our first report on the topic.

The data and graphics below detail the key findings from our latest study, alongside expert commentary explaining the patterns that emerged.

If you’re looking to protect your home or business, check out our range of alarms, CCTV and safes, as well as our wider selection of locks, safety and security devices.

There are currently 90,597 public CCTV cameras controlled by UK local authorities

Almost two-thirds (64%) of local authorities have increased their surveillance, with 50 councils more than doubling their CCTV presence.

The average number of cameras per council is now 391, up by 7% from 2022 (367)

While the majority of local authorities have stepped up their surveillance, some are increasing their CCTV figures at faster rates than others.

Perth & Kinross Council now operates 1,300% more cameras than it did in 2022 (504, up from 36) – the biggest rise across the UK.

The UK local authorities that are increasing their CCTV presence at the greatest speed are:

However, they have a long way to go to catch the UK’s CCTV capitals, with 18 local authorities controlling over 1,000 cameras each.

The London Borough of Hackney is still the most surveilled area in the UK, as it was in 2022, and now operates 3,549 CCTV cameras. This is 1,219 more than Portsmouth, which came in second place.

To see the CCTV statistics for every UK local authority, view the full datasheet here.

To help explain the rising number of CCTV cameras across the UK, and to predict whether these patterns will continue, we spoke to Andrea Strong, Managing Director at Corps Monitoring.

Why has there been a rise in CCTV cameras in recent years?

“The availability of fibre broadband and a significant improvement in connectivity speeds has made it easier to connect to and deliver CCTV services.  We’ve also seen a reduction in the cost of equipment and an increase in the features available, making it more affordable to install in the home and at commercial premises.

“With the advancement of mobile tech, and the fact that it is standard to have 4G or more enabled smartphones, we’re now heavily reliant on captured visuals – our news, our stories, our lives are all captured on video, so being evidence-driven is the norm. Naturally, when it comes to people and asset protection, CCTV cameras play a massive role; they are our eyes everywhere all at once.” 

Do you think this increase is set to continue?

“Most definitely. With the pace of advancement in technology and the increasing threat of theft and damage, greater use of CCTV will improve not only the safety of our homes, businesses and assets, but our own personal protection.

“The increase we have seen in theft from both residential and commercial property will drive the increase in the deployment of technology and CCTV. Visible security systems act as a strong deterrent and also thwart anti-social elements.”

“Install a simple-to-use, simple-to-connect intruder alarm in your home, but importantly, install CCTV that is monitored by an off-site accredited Alarm Receiving Centre. With this 24/7 monitoring, you will have the peace of mind that your property is being protected around the clock, no matter where you are in the world.

“The costs for providing electronic protection, including CCTV monitoring services for either your home or business premise, is both accessible and very affordable.”

What are the benefits of CCTV for businesses?

Crime prevention: CCTV systems help prevent crime by monitoring and recording activities around business premises. This visible surveillance acts as a deterrent to potential criminals.

Reduce security costs: Installing CCTV can reduce the need for physical security personnel, lowering overall security costs.

Deterring vandalism: The presence of CCTV cameras can discourage acts of vandalism by making potential offenders think twice. Knowing they are being watched reduces the likelihood of damage to property.

Provides camera footage for evidence: CCTV footage serves as valuable evidence in the event of a crime or dispute. This recorded video can be crucial for legal proceedings.

Handling disputes: CCTV can help resolve disputes by providing clear, recorded evidence of incidents. This can be particularly useful in workplace conflicts or customer complaints.

Visibility of entire business premises: CCTV systems offer a comprehensive view of the entire business premises, covering areas that might be difficult to monitor otherwise.

Enhance customer services: CCTV can improve customer service by monitoring and analysing customer interactions. This can help identify areas for improvement and ensuring a high level of service.

For more information, we recently shared further expert advice on how to stop burglars and protect your property on our blog.

Data sourced from Freedom of Information requests issued to UK local authorities in August 2024 and compared to data from 2022.

Data was supplied by 230 local authorities.

Only cameras controlled by local authorities are included in the study, so private equipment owned by businesses or members of the public does not contribute to the totals.

Worldwide statistics for CCTV cameras per capita sourced from JMC Secure.

The UK is already the fourth most surveilled country in the world, but our recent research has revealed that the number of CCTV cameras across the nation is continuing to increase.

Not being confident your belongings are safe can make you feel uneasy, but a padlock is a great way of making sure they are. For your peace of mind and the security of stored items, it’s important that you know how to change the combination code of your lock.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to reset your combination lock, so you can access your things when you need to. Check out our range of padlocks from leading industry brands to get started.

To be able to reset your number lock, first you need to open it. Set the dials to the current combination; if you’re unsure what the code is, you should either contact the manufacturer or a locksmith. These steps are a generalised guide, and they could be slightly different depending on the type of padlock, model or brand you have.

The next step in resetting your combination padlock is to find the reset hole. This can either be a button or, more commonly, a small hole or slot.

You then need to insert a reset tool (a change code key). Some manufacturers provide these in the packaging (it will look like a small metal strip), but an unfolded paper clip will work, too. Push the tool into the reset hole until there’s resistance, then rotate in any direction. You’ll know it has worked when a click is felt or you hear a sound.

If you can’t find the reset mechanism on your particular padlock, you can check the manufacturer’s website for instructions on where to find it.

Continue holding the reset tool in the hole or pressing the reset button, and then turn the digits into your new desired combination. Choose a code that is memorable to you but wouldn’t be easy for other people to guess. When you’re happy with your new padlock code, release the button or turn the tool back.

It’s important to test your new combination after resetting the padlock code. To do this, lock the padlock and mix up the digits, then enter your chosen combination to try and open the lock. Make a note of the new combination in a safe and secure place.

Resetting a combination lock can help you keep your things safe, whether it's at home, in the shed, on a gate, or in your gym locker. We’ve also put together a list of common break-in points that you can use to further improve your security knowledge.

Can you reset a padlock without the combination?

If you buy a new combination padlock and you’re unsure of the combination, it’s most likely listed in the manufacturer guide, so there is a good place to start. If you’re still unable to open the padlock, get in touch with their customer service team or a professional locksmith.

Learn how to reset a combination padlock with our step-by-step guide. Our experts will take you through the process and outline the tools you'll need.

15th May 2023

Putting mental health in high visibility

Our annual Mental Health in the Trades report has once again shone a light on the worrying scale of mental health problems within the industry, with more than four in five (84%) UK tradespeople experiencing work-related stress.

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