POLICE are urging van owners to remove valuables overnight following a spate of tool thefts from vans.

Calne and Chippenham have been the targets of an outbreak of thefts from vans over the last fortnight which has resulted in police increasing patrols in the towns.

Community coordinator PC Hazel Anderson, said: "We are keeping an open mind as to whether all of these incidents are linked and will be conducting enquiries to find those responsible.

"We understand that many of those people affected will be self-employed local business people who will no doubt have been hit hard by these incidents.

"Officers are increasing patrols in affected areas and the Proactive Policing Team will be out and about over the coming days in a bid to reduce crime of this nature in our communities and provide reassurance to our communities.

"We would continue to urge people to try and remove their vehicles when they are left unattended.

"We would also encourage anyone with information on any of these incidents to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

In Chippenham, between 6pm on November 4, and 11.15am on November 5, a white Ford Transit van was broken into in Greenway Lane, and five power tools were stolen.

Between 10.30pm on November 7 and 7.30am on November 8, a Citroen van was broken into in Field View and work tools were stolen.

Between 5pm on November 7 and 7.15am on November 8, a white Ford Transit van in Blackcross was broken into and a Makita drill in a green box with another combi impact drill was stolen.

Another white Ford Transit van in the same street was also broken into and two Bosch drills were stolen.

Overnight between 7 and 8 November, a vehicle in Charter Road was broken into and a bag of tools stolen.

Between 4pm and 9pm on November 10, a white Ford van which was parked in a residential car park in Seagry Road was pushed away from a wall and tools were stolen from inside.

Between 3.15pm on November 10, and 6.30am on November 13, a catalytic converter was removed from a silver Honda Accord on Eastern Avenue.

At 11am on November 14 – a Bosch drill, Makita drill and impact driver, and a Mega Tester testing kit were stolen from a silver Peugeot Expert in Southmead. Two males were seen running from the vehicle and then got into a white van and drove off.

In Calne, between 2.30pm on November 3 and midday on November 4, builders tools were stolen from a van parked in Wren Court.

Various tools were stolen from a vehicle parked in Dace Road between November 7 and 8, including a Husqvarna disc cutter, angle grinder, Makita radio and Makita drill.

A Dewalt cordless chop-saw, cordless Makita drill and Makita drill driver/jigsaw were stolen from a vehicle in Shelburne Road between 3.30pm on November 7 and 8am on November 8.

Between 6pm on November 7 and 7am on November 8, a vehicle parked in Wessington Park was broken into and tools including Makita router, Makita hoover, Makita jigsaw, Makita circular saw and cordless drills were stolen

Overnight between November 7 and 8, various Makita tools were stolen from a vehicle in Newcroft Close.