TRADESMEN in Evesham are being warned by police to keep their tools safe and take them out of their vans overnight.

The warning comes after a spate of overnight vehicle crimes in the area between Monday, September 24 and Tuesday, September 25.

Four vehicles in the South Littleton and Middle Littleton areas were targeted.

The first incident took place in Manor Road, Middle Littleton, sometime between 5pm on the Monday and 7.30am the following day.Tools worth more than £500 were taken from a van.

The second incident took place in School Lane, Middle Littleton, on the same night between 11.30pm and 7.30am.

A white Citroen Berlingo van was broken into and £1,000 of tools were stolen. Items taken included a hand tool box full of various tools, a large aluminium case containing hand tools and a gas tester, and a soldering blowtorch.

A blue Citroen Dispatch panel van was targeted in the third incident, which took place between 6pm and 6.30am.

It was parked on a drive on Withy Trees Road, South Littleton and had £1,000 worth of Makita tools taken from it.

They included a battery powered drill, torch, circular saw, jigsaw and power saw and battery chargers and batteries.

Tools with an unknown value, were taken from a white Fiat Scudo van during the fourth incident which happened between 5pm and 7.30am in Norval Road, South Littleton.

A police spokeswoman said: "Tools are highly valuable and a prime target for car thieves.

"We would always urge those people who have expensive tools in their vehicles to remove them to a secure place overnight.

"This message is particularly important in the light of the four vehicle crimes in the area. It is also a good idea to display a sign somewhere clearly on the vehicle that states all tools are removed overnight'."

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the areas between the times given or has been offered tools under unusual circumstances should contact police on 98457 444 888. Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.