£10,000 of tools stolen as spate of van crime continues
Van crime in south Shropshire has rocketed in recent weeks with one victim having £10,000 of tools stolen.
West Mercia Police say 19 vehicles have been attacked in the last two months in the Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Ludlow and Bishops Castle areas.
Some of the offences have been daytime while the owners have been at a job and others have been overnight outside the owners’ property. The £10,000 raid was in“Tools have been the main target, one victim had £10,000 worth of tools stolen from a van in Lydbury North.”
Officers say the majority of the vans have had the rear or side door locks attacked while a dozen of the vans have been Ford Transits.
They advise: “If you are on site or at a job with your van please keep it locked and if you have to keep tools in the van overnight then consider fitting a new lock.
“Basic locks can be purchased for as little as £20 while purpose-made van locks are about £80.”
Police have appealed for anyone with information that could help with their inquires or anyone who has been offered tools to contact them on 101.
“A black Saab has been seen during the daytime offences around Church Stretton, Craven Arms and Ludlow while occupants of a black Ford Focus were seen attempting to break into a van in Bishops Castle around midnight on the October 25.”
