POLICE have asked van owners to be vigilant after a spate of power tool thefts.

A total of nine thefts from vans were recorded between Wednesday, February 18 and Wednesday, March 4, in Tadley and in the Grove and South Ham areas of Basingstoke.

Sergeant Trevor Taylor, of the Basingstoke neighbourhood policing team, said: “Thieves have been targeting work vans with valuable power tools inside.”

He recommended crime prevention tips including parking in a secure area like a garage or behind locked gates, parking in view of CCTV when visiting businesses, and locking all windows and doors when the vans are left unattended.

Anyone with information on the thefts can contact Basingstoke police on 101.