DIY SOS star Nick Knowles has blasted officials for letting thieves off easy for crimes against the working class.
The host made the comments after a worker, who volunteered on the popular BBC 1 show, had thousands of pounds worth of tools stolen from his van earlier this month.
Knowles said that by letting criminals ‘off with a £60 fine’ is ‘damaging’ to working-class families.
He added: ‘If the judge’s car was stolen, they’d find room in a prison.’
DIY SOS star Nick Knowles (left) has blasted officials for letting thieves off easy as he says that if a judge’s car was stolen there would be serious consequences. Earlier this month volunteer Paul Matson (right) had tools stolen from his van
Mr Matson collected his £4,000 worth of tools over two decades, but thieves stole them overnight, leaving him unable to work. The volunteer carried on helping DIY SOS regardless
Speaking to the Mirror, Knowles said: ‘Our magistrates and judges need to understand how it damages working-class families who are law abiding and tax paying.
‘No one takes it seriously. Because it’s the tools of a working man’s trade, it’s not so important. It’s an absolute plague.
‘It’s a class crime and the law system, predominately upper class, doesn’t care to do enough.’
Knowles’ comments come after volunteer Paul Matson was left in tears when he realised his tools had been lifted from his van earlier this month.
The callous robbery prompted Knowles to call for help, inspiring Tim Shaw – the host of Channel 4 show Car SOS – to contact his building supplier sources to replace the equipment lost.
Knowles said: ‘Our magistrates and judges need to understand how it damages working-class families who are law abiding and tax paying. No one takes it seriously. Because it’s the tools of a working man’s trade, it’s not so important. It’s an absolute plague’
Nick Knowles surrounded by local tradespeople in Hessle, Yorkshire, where DIY SOS is helping a family who lost their mother at Christmas
Mr Matson, a volunteer on DIY SOS – which renovates homes for hard-hit families – was heading out in Hessle, near Hull, East Yorkshire, when he spotted the theft.
Mr Matson, 55, was left ‘crying on his doorstep’ when he realised his tools had been stolen by thieves, despite an alarm system on his van.
Previously speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Shaw, 43, said: ‘As a tradesman, having your tools stolen is like having your arms and legs amputated because without them you’re helpless.
‘When I read about, it I was furious and wanted to help. So we went to DeWalt, who own Black & Decker, and they’ve pledged to replace whatever was taken.
‘So from one SOS show to another, we hope to keep them alive.’
Shaw, whose own show sees him and a team of mechanics repair rundown cars for struggling drivers, empathises with Mr Matson because ‘he knows just how much of a shoestring budget these shows are made on.’
The callous robbery prompted Knowles (right) to call for help, inspiring Tim Shaw – the host of Channel 4 show Car SOS – to contact his building supplier sources to replace the equipment Mr Matson (left) lost
‘For car restorations, you need £100,000 worth of tools,’ he explained.
‘So we know the cost of DIY restorations. And I saw how riled up Nick was and I get it, the impact of this theft is enormous.
‘It could kill them, it really could. They could be left skint without the means to work.
‘Anything that gets in the way, or prevents people who help people doing their job isn’t right.’
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘The DIY SOS team has been overwhelmed by the generosity of local people who have so kindly offered financial assistance and replacement tools to Paul Matson, after his tools were sadly stolen.
‘We cannot thank Paul, and all our other local tradespeople, enough for their time and skill in helping us to complete this build. The DIY SOS team has not yet heard from Tim Shaw, but we look forward to doing so and all donations are gratefully received.’