AUDACIOUS thieves broke into 12 trade vans and cars in one night last week, costing local builders, craftsmen and gardeners thousands of pounds in damage and stolen tools.
In the largest crime of its kind in 18 months, the offenders hit the Alton area sometime between the night of Tuesday, November 2, and Wednesday morning with a concerted theft-blitz that saw vehicle doors prized open with hammers or locks drilled out.
In some cases, whole windows were completely removed so the determined thieves could access the goods within.
In Kellynch Close a Mazda E2000 had its offside lock drilled out. Once entry was gained, two drills, an angle grinder and a circular saw, totalling £880, were taken.
On Cherry Way, the rear screen of a Ford Escort van was removed and two chainsaws, worth hundreds of pounds, were stolen. Again in the same road, a VW Transporter had £1,000 worth of equipment taken.
Wentworth Gardens may have to go without a trim for a while after a Toyota Hilux had its tailgate forcibly dropped and two leaf blowers and two strimmers stolen.
And on Littlefield Road, a Ford Transit suffered the removal of a window so that thieves could take two drills worth hundreds.
The accumulated worth the items taken was thought to be around £13,000.
Meanwhile, the same day in Station Road, Ropley, a trailer worth £2,000 was unhitched from its owner's vehicle and driven away.
And the previous night, five other vehicles were broken into with various items going missing.
This particularly concentrated spate of vehicle-related crime has prompted police to appeal for witnesses to the crimes.
Alton police are also warning tradesmen to be extra careful, when they are locking up their vehicles at night, to ensure DIY tools and valuables are either well hidden or removed completely and stored in a secure garage or unit.
Anyone who saw or heard anything during the night of November 2, or has since been offered second-hand tools, should contact Pc Ashworth at Alton Police Station on 0845 045 4545.