POLICE in Stroud are appealing for witnesses to a workshop burglary in which a high value diamond tipped cutting chainsaw was stolen.

The burglary happened in South Woodchester at the end of April.

The theft has meant that the victim of the burglary, Alan Hawkins has had to stop using his skills to help others.

Officers believe that the workshop on Southfield Road in South Woodchester was broken into between Sunday, April 26 and Monday, April 27.

The chain of the saw has very large cutting teeth with one missing and officers hope this distinctive feature may help to locate the missing power tool.

Alan Hawkins said: "I’m a member of the community and all I want to do is use my skills and my tools to make things better with regard to not just my trade, but those that want help.

"I clean gutters, go up ladders and fix things because I can and that helps those that have trust in you.

"It’s a headache at times, but I do it because I’m in the community and I can.

"Nailsworth Town Council heard of my work and invited me to quote for the work on the towns memorials too, where the chainsaw would be put to work assisting with cutting of the paving from reclaimed Minchinhampton Weather Bed, the stone that was originally used for the monument."

Investigating Officer DC Smith said: “We believe this chainsaw is unique as it is water cooled and connects to a hose and the teeth on the chain are diamond tipped, meaning it would cost £1700 to replace the item.

“The power tool had been purchased by the victim with intentions of restoring memorials in the local area as a good will gesture and I would ask anyone with information to let us know."

Anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the burglary or has since been offered the chainsaw for sale is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 89 of 1 May.