Counting high cost of white van thefts

Police are appealing for help after tradesmen were left counting the cost of a spate of van break-ins.

There have been 20 recorded raids on vans belonging to various trades over the last few days.

One South Holland business lost around £10,000 of equipment when four of its vans were hit.

Seven vans were broken into in Holbeach alone and there were also two set alight in the town.

Builder Nigel Morris, of Dam Gate, said he had around £1,500 of tools taken from his van on Thursday night.

“They took a disc cutter and various electric tools. I have had to replace them to get back to work,” he said.

Nearby P&R Plant Hire faces a £10,000 bill to replace what was taken from four of its vehicles.

“We had four broken into over the last few days.

“When you say you have had disc cutters and tools stolen, it doesn’t sound like mega-bucks. But it all costs and there is often no point in claiming off insurance because the premiums just go up.

“It all seems a bit bizarre and we have had nothing like it in years,” said a company spokesman.

Plasterer Michael Ayres said he was facing a bill of more than £1,000 to replace equipment stolen from his van in

Holbeach when he was targeted twice.

His van was broken into the first time on January 14 and again last Thursday.

“I have been in business for 30 years and it is the first time anything like this has happened. They took two screw guns and some electrical tools,” he said.

All those affected said most insurance companies would not cover tools left in a van.

Some of them had an insurance excess of around £1,000 which, coupled with a premium rise, made claiming unlikely.

The police are investigating seven incidents in Holbeach, two in Crowland, two in Surfleet, two in Kirton, three in Deeping St Nicholas, one in Spalding, Weston, Pinchbeck and Gosberton.

PC Nicola Lilley said: “We have suffered a significant number of break-ins to work vans (mainly white Ford Transits) using a number of methods to gain entry but the majority had tools stolen.”

Police are appealing for local residents to report any activity they think is suspicious.

Officers are also advising van owners to keep vans in well-lit areas and try to park in areas with CCTV.

Tools should be removed at night and alarms need to be set, police added.

Call 999 if there is a crime in progress or 101 with any information, including if anyone is offered cheap tools.