Information on Leicestershire

Police urge van owners to remove electrical tools overnight

Officers in the South area are urging trades people not to leave any tools or equipment in their vans overnight after a recent spate of thefts.

In the last month, 16 vans have been broken into across South Leicestershire. Five incidents have occurred in the Hinckley area, four in Oadby and Wigston, four in Blaby and three in the Harborough area.

All the vehicles have been broken into either during the night or when they have been left unlocked at jobs. Many thousands of pounds worth of electrical equipment and tools have been stolen in these incidents.  

The thieves have broken in by breaking the door locks or cutting through the rubber around the rear windows, to avoid making any noise.

Inspector Marc Simons, from the South Area Community Safety Bureau, said; "The best way to stop these offences is to empty your van every night and lock your equipment away.  Although it can be inconvenient to empty your van at the end of the day it is not as inconvenient as having to replace the stolen items or lose work because you no longer have the right tools.

"Other things you can do to reduce the risk is to always ensure your vehicle is locked when you leave it, even during the day while you are working.  You could leave a note on the vehicle which says 'no tools are kept in this vehicle overnight,' and it's advisable to fit your vehicle with a good quality alarm and park it in a well lit place.

"Post coding your powers tools and equipment can also act as a deterrent and helps us reunite the tools with their rightful owner if they are recovered."

"We'd also ask anyone who is offered power tools for sale to contact us."

Two people aged 23 and 47 were arrested on February 10, 2009, on suspicion of theft from vans and they are currently on bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with any information relating to these types of thefts is asked to call Leicestershire Constabulary on Leicester (0116) 222 2222 or Crimestoppers, which is free* and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

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