Spalding contractor advises others to unload vans at night after raid
A civil engineering contractor is advising others to unload their vans at night after thieves stole £1,800 worth of equipment.
Thomas Holmes (31), along with three other members of his family, were unable to work last week which has cost them an estimated £4,000 after his van was raided in Linden Court, Spalding, on Sunday, November 3.
Police put out a warning last week after thousands of pounds worth of tools were taken from six other vans on the same night.
Mr Holmes was forced to borrow money in order to replace the stolen combi engine with attachments, pressure washer along a leaf blower in order to get back to work.
He said: "The theft had quite a big impact as three other people as well as myself were out of work for the majority of the week.
"I want to advise others that even if it takes an extra effort, protect yourselves before Christmas by taking everything out of your van. In future I'm going to be taking everything out."
Mr Holmes discovered his Ford Transit Van was empty when he went out the following morning and found broken padlocks.
He said: "This is really expensive just before Christmas."
Police have stated that £2,000 worth of tools, including saws and nail guns, were stolen from a Vauxhall Vivaro in South Street, Swineshead.
An attempt was made to break into a van in Old Main Road, Fosdyke. One of the van doors was damaged as a result but nothing was taken.
Tools were stolen from a Renault van in West Cobgate, Moulton.
Two Vauxhall Vivaro vans were broken into in Benner Road, Pinchbeck but luckily nothing was taken as both were empty.
A Peugeot van was broken into in Lowgate Avenue in Bicker and £800 of electrical tools were stolen. A van in Stamford was also hit.
Sally Picker, crime reduction tactical advisor, said: “Vans are often targeted by opportunistic thieves who are looking for valuable tools. We appreciate that it is often difficult to remove all tools when the van is left overnight, although this is obviously the ideal."
Call 101 with information.