POLICE are urging van owners to be vigilant and remove valuables overnight, following another spate of thefts of tools from vans in Chippenham, Calne and Corsham.

Last night (between January 4 and January 5) nine vans were targeted in these areas.

PC Hazel Anderson, said: "We are keeping an open mind but it is likely that a lot of these incidents are linked and we are currently carrying out enquiries into the incidents that have been reported - it is possible that there are further incidents which have not yet been reported - I'd urge anyone who may have been targeted, even if nothing has been stolen, to report it as this could help us build up an intelligence picture and find those responsible.

"We are carrying out targeted patrols over the coming days and would urge anyone who owns high value tools to ensure these are removed from vehicles overnight where possible.

"Thefts of this nature can be extremely frustrating and distressing, and can often impact on people's livelihoods."

In Corsham, a vehicle parked at Kings Avenue was targeted, and a Dewalt drill, Hitachi SDS drill, Hitachi Impact driver and batteries were stolen. A while Berlingo van in Priory Street also had its side door lock ripped off and a socket set stolen from inside.

In Chippenham a Fiat Scudo Comfort at Warwick Close was broken into and a ripsaw, Impactor, hand drill, disc cutter, multitool and battery all worth around £1,500 were stolen. Another van at Warwick Close was broken into where a nail gun, battery, router, circular saw and a jigsaw were stolen. A Ford Transit van in Stonelea Close had multiple power tools to the value of £2,000 stolen when it was broken into via the front driver's door. A Citroen Dispatch at Phillips Close was broken into but it is not known whether anything was stolen.

In Calne, a Fiat van at North Street was broken into but it is not known whether anything was stolen. A Renault Trafic van at Honeysuckle Close was broken into after a hole was cut in the back door and an electrical tester, Bosch drill and a Dewalt drill were stolen. Two steel disc cutters, two nail guns and a Makita radio worth £3,000 was stolen from a Citroen Berlingo in Northfields