FARNHAM workers have been warned not to leave valuable power tools in their vans after more than £3,000 worth of equipment was stolen in a spate of vehicle break-ins. An assortment of power tools were stolen from five vans parked overnight outside homes in St Peter's Gardens and Buttermere Close. Four of the five thefts took place during the early hours of March 29, while the other one happened sometime between March 24 and March 29. The thefts from St Peter's Gardens included a battery drill and CD player worth £450 stolen from a Ford Escort van, a variety of tools and a mobile phone taken from a white Renault van and two drills and a combustion air analyser unit stolen from a white Ford Escort van with a value of £600. In Buttermere Close, tools and drills worth £800 were taken from a Renault van and a chainsaw, power tools and drills worth £850 were stolen from a Fiat Ducato. In the majority of cases the thieves had gained entry by cutting the seal around the window and removing the glass. A spokeswoman for Farnham Police said: "People should try not to leave any kind of valuable tools in their van. "Workers often rely on these items for their livelihood and they should make sure they are kept securely. "Thieves know the value of this kind of equipment and these worker's vans are deliberately being targeted. "We would advise people to get these items punched or etched. Heavier metal items can be punched by the owners themselves using a set of punches which can be purchased from most DIY stores." The police estimate that there are 2.5 million thefts from vehicles each year with a break-in happening once every 12 seconds. Anyone with information on the crimes should contact the police on 0845 1252222.