POLICE have urged van owners in Stroud to be vigilant after a spate of thefts which saw £1,400 worth of power tools stolen.

Over £700 worth of power tools was stolen from a van in Dudbridge Hill between midnight and 10.30am on Saturday, June 25.

A power drill worth £300 was stolen from a van parked in Field Road near Stroud Maternity Hospital between 5pm on Friday, June 24 and 3pm on Sunday, June 26.

Finally two power drills, worth £400, were stolen from a van between 10.30pm on Friday, June 24 and 8.30am on Saturday, June 25 on Park Road.

Stroud police have issued precautions to van owners to ensure they do not fall victim to theft:

  • Remove valuables from the vehicle overnight and display a sign on the van stating this.
  • Park your van in a well-lit area overnight and in sight of CCTV.
  • If you use a satnav, always remove it from the windscreen when your car is locked and unattended and wipe away tell-tale suction marks.
  • Write your home postcode on it with an ultraviolet marker pen for easier identification if it gets stolen.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incidents 178 and 131 of 25 June and 271 of 26 June.