Builder 'gutted' after power tools stolen from van in Kemptown

Tim Whittington, from Hendon Street in Kemptown, Brighton, walked down to his van in Evelyn Place to find the door wide open and all of his tools gone.

The 44-year-old said he “never normally” leaves his tools in his van, and is now looking for second-hand tools so he can get back to work as soon as possible.

The builder of 20 years said he thought the light was “playing a trick” when he first saw the open door on the van. He reckons it was a “professional job”.

Sussex Police said “due to a lack of evidence or available lines of enquiry” it will not be able to pursue a full investigation, but the case will be used as intelligence that “influences decisions around policing in the area”.

Tim with one of the stolen Makita power tools

The theft comes just one week after a break in at a community workshop in St George's Church in Kemptown just half a mile away where £1,000 of tools were stolen on March 25.

Tim told The Argus: “I think it was a professional job to be honest with you, there was no forced sign of entry or anything.

“Two of the tool boxes’ lids were just left on the road. When I saw it, I was gutted. I walked up and saw the door open and thought it must have been a trick of the light but as I got closer it was like ‘oh s***’.

The theft happened in Evelyn Terrace overnight on Friday, April 1, going on to Saturday, April 2

“I never normally leave my tools in my van, obviously I have done it before but I never normally do. Unfortunately, it just happened to be the time that it did happen.

“The tools are worth about £3,000, all my hand tools as well. As a builder for 20 years, you get your odd little tools that you use for each job. That’s a lifetime of gathering stuff that’s useful to me all gone.

“I can replace it all it’s just tools that you have in your toolbox that save you time on a job and I won’t know it’s gone until I need it, if that makes sense.”

A Sussex Police spokesman offered advice around leaving tools in vans overnight.

He said: “Police received a report of a van having been broken into overnight in Evelyn Terrace, Brighton, on Friday, April 1, and a number of power tools were taken.

One of the tools similar to those stolen from Tim's van

“Unfortunately, due to a lack of evidence or available lines of enquiry, officers were not able to pursue a full investigation. However the case has been placed on file and will be used as intelligence that influences decisions around policing in the area.

“As a force, Sussex Police takes any reports of theft seriously and will always follow up on any viable lines of enquiry.

“There are some steps that van owners can take around additional security for their tools, which is available on our website.

“Vans are often targeted by thieves for the tools stored inside. If you have to leave tools in a van overnight, it is a good idea to mark them clearly with your name/company name and address using paint pens and seal with a clear lacquer spray.

“Alternatively, you can use a variety of other property marking systems. Items that are clearly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on.

“Consider using a lockable cabinet within your van to store tools – a number of security rated products are available. Small cameras are also designed to record inside vehicles. Visit Secured by Design for more details.

“You can also take photographs of items of value, make a note of the serial numbers and consider registering them online at a property register site.”