POLICE in Waverley are urging all van owners to take steps to protect their property following a spate of tool thefts in the Farnham and Wrecclesham area.

A total of 16 vehicles were targeted across the town and surrounding area between October 24 and November 21, including several incidents of tools being stolen from vans overnight.

Most recently, tools worth up to £3,000 were stolen from a van in Burnt Hill Road, Lower Bourne sometime between 4pm on November 18 and 7.45am on November 20.

Vans have also been targeted in Ridgway Parade, Wrecclesham Road, Lodge Hill Road (twice) and Knights Road (twice) over this period, including three break-ins in one night on October 30.

A similar increase in tool thefts has also been reported across the border in Aldershot.

Responding, the Waverley Neighbourhood Police Team posted on Facebook: “Attention all van owners. Thieves are looking to take your tools from your vans. We have had reports of theft from vans in the Farnham and Wrecclesham area.

“Please ensure that you remove all tools and any other valuables from your vehicles overnight. We are aware and we are working on it, but we need your help too. Let’s work together and stop them taking your hard-earned tools.”

In addition, cars have also been targeted in Hale Road, Westbury Gardens (twice), Burnt Hill Road and Frensham Road, while another vehicle was stolen from outside a home in Lynch Road overnight on November 15/16 without the keys or setting off the alarm.

The attempted theft of a digger was reported from a property in Boundstone Road between 4pm on November 16 and 7.50am the next day, and thieves also stole a dumper truck in Weydon Lane overnight on November 2/3.

Another recent phenomenon has seen two incidents of stolen number plates, in Upper Weybourne Lane and The Chantrys, which police believe could be related to an upsurge in burglaries across the area.

Around 150 fragrances were stolen in a raid on the Boots store in The Borough overnight on October 24/25, while a car valet service in Monkton Lane was broken into overnight on November 6/7.

Homes and garages have also been targeted in Hookley Lane (Elstead), Compton Way, Weybourne Road, Crabtree Lane (Churt), Bower Road, Upper Weybourne Lane, Willow Way and Sandy Lane (Rushmoor) in recent weeks.

A further burglary took place in Stoneyfields, where the average house price is more than £2 million, sometime between 5pm on November 17 and 7.06pm on November 19, with thieves smashing an upstairs window to gain access to the home.

Officers encourage anybody concerned about crime to sign up to ‘In The Know’, a engagement and messaging system Surrey Police uses to communicate with members of the public.

For advice on crime prevention, people can also visit the website surrey.police.uk/advice/protect-your-home-and-belongings/ and follow the relevant links.