Warning to tradesmen after thefts
By Yate People | Saturday, August 21, 2010, 07:00
TRADESMEN and women have been reminded to secure their vans after valuable power tools were stolen by gangs targeting the vehicles.
Vans were broken into in daylight in Yate and Stoke Gifford, with tools worth hundreds of pounds snatched. A wallet containing cash and cards was also taken from one.
Two of the vans were on a building site in Wellington Road, Yate, while another was in the East Walk car park at Yate Shopping Centre. Two more were in Fox Den Road, Stoke Gifford.
The thefts happened during the morning of Tuesday, August 17, and Wednesday, August 18, and were the latest in a spate of break-ins at building sites, builders’ merchants and large hardware stores.
Criminals, often in a white Fort Transit van and wearing fluorescent tabards, are believed to strike after watching drivers leave their vehicles. They are able to break into a van and make off with tools within seconds.
Police community safety inspector, Gerry Treacy, said: “People need to make things difficult for these thieves by always locking and setting the vehicle alarm and keeping tools in a secure cage or box bolted inside the van.”
He also urged them to mark their property with their business name or postcode, as well as with an ultraviolet pen, and register them at
Comments
This is awful. It is still hard to believe that people live their lives by making others miserable through theft and vandalism. I hope that all the victims get back to work as soon as possible. I have been a victim of burgulary that has affected my work and it is very difficult to get back into work and earning money again to recover from the losses made. It just goes to show we all still need to be vigilant and we all need to make sure we leave no evidence on display to encourage thieves. It seems now, not even your lunch is safe to be left on the seat.
If anyone does know anything about these burgularies, please get in touch with the local Police station and lets see if we can stop the criminals.
By jennifermoss at 21:40 on 23/08/10
ReportI know Lee, the electrician who had his van robbed in Yate Shopping Centre.
The s*** who did it even took his sandwich box from the cab.
Not only was he angry, but he was also hungry.....not a good combination.
To stop a tradesman from earning his livlihood is a very low act. I hope they get caught soon as!
By A.Y.S. Carpentry and Building Co. at 20:59 on 23/08/10
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