Tom A. Smith’s Gear, Including Gift Guitars and “Essential Medications,” Stolen in London.

Equipment Stolen in London

Tom A. Smith had equipment stolen in London, including gift guitars and “essential medicines.”

• READ MORE: On alarming rise in tour van thefts: ‘Why should new groups be at greater risk of being robbed?’

The Sunderland artist was scheduled to perform a live session with his band at Radio X with John Kennedy last night (December 20) and later expressed his distress on X/Twitter about the theft of his equipment, which included four guitars, various pedals, a MacBook Pro laptop, a cajon, amplifier, and bags of medication.

Devastation Over Lost Instruments

“Absolutely devastated,” he wrote. “Tonight was supposed to be special. Playing a live session with my band on @RadioX with @JohnKennedy and someone/people stole everything from our van at London M1 station.”

“I have had my beautiful guitar for 6 years and it was a gift from my grandfather. I don’t know what to do. Laptops and necessary medications for the group member. If anyone tries to sell them to you, please help.”

Absolutely devastated. Tonight was supposed to be special. Playing a live session with my band. @RadioX With @JohnKennedy and someone/people stole everything from our van on the London M1 route. I've had my beautiful guitar for 6 years now, and it was a gift from my grandfather. Not… pic.twitter.com/IDkDIsEcvH

— TOM SMITH (@tomasmithmusic) December 20, 2024

He went on to reiterate that all the equipment was a gift and urged people to contact him if they see any of it for sale, with his bassist Katie Anderson also sharing her shock on social media. “I can’t believe it, no words can describe it,” she wrote. “The bass was my 21st birthday gift from my father, for whom he was saving money, and my prized possession.”

Several indie bands, including Coastal Fire Dept, The Voyd, and The Clause, offered their support, with the latter writing: “If you need to borrow anything give us a call mate.”

NME investigation into the rise in equipment thefts pointed to a 2019 study conducted by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which used data provided by UK police, finding that the number of van thefts across the country increased by almost 50 percent between 2015 and 2019, totaling 32,056 incidents or an average of 22 stolen vehicles per day.

Earlier this year, RAYE also had her writing books stolen along with her car, forcing her to tell fans that her long-awaited second album won’t be coming out “any time soon.”

Meanwhile, Smith will be joining James on select UK tour dates in 2025, including dates in Lincoln, Plymouth, and Colchester – visit here to find tickets.