VANS have been targeted by tool thieves in a quick succession of vehicle break-ins.

Police revealed that 14 vans in Didcot were broken into or damaged during break-in attempts, during a six-day period earlier this month.

Officers issued an appeal for witnesses today following the spate of thefts, which happened between Wednesday, February 6 and Monday, February 11.

One van had been parked at Tesco car wash when it was ransacked, and another had its window smashed while parked on a residential road.

Investigating officer PC Robert Maris, based at Didcot station, said: "Following our investigations into a number of recent thefts from vans, we are advising van owners in the Didcot area to secure their vans and tools.

"Anyone with information about these incidents should report the details on the Thames Valley Police website quoting reference 43190040914.

"Alternatively, you can call the non-emergency telephone number, 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

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PC Maris's tips for van drivers were:

  • Register and mark your tools via immobilise.com
  • Secure your vehicle when left unattended
  • Install a dashcam or CCTV
  • Park against a wall
  • Use dead locks or security cages
  • Remove all valuables and tools

The first incident occurred between 5pm on Thursday February 7 and 7am on Friday February 8. The offender/s attempted to gain entry to a van parked on Westfield. They did not gain entry but the front lights of the vehicle were damaged in the process.

The second incident occurred between 7.30pm on February 7 and 7.45am on February 8. The window of a parked van was smashed and tools stolen on Wantage Road.

The third incident occurred between 9pm on February 7 and 8am on February 8. A van parked on Barrow Road was broken into but nothing was stolen.

The fourth incident occurred between midnight on February 7 and 11.45am on February 8. A van was broken into and a number of tools were stolen on The Croft.

The fifth incident occurred between 11.30am and 12.30pm on February 8. A van parked at the car wash at Tesco on the Wallingford Road was broken in to and tools were stolen.

The sixth incident occurred between 4pm on February 8 and 7am on Saturday, February 9. A van was broken in to and tools stolen on Mendip Heights.

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The seventh incident occurred between 4.40pm on February 8 and 6.45am on February 9. A van was broken in to and tools were stolen on Green Road.

The eighth incident occurred between 5pm on February 8 and 10.15am on February 9. The window of a parked van was smashed and tools stolen on Manor Road.

The ninth incident occurred between 6pm on February 8 and 8.30am on Sunday, February 10. A van was broken in to and a number of tools were stolen on Kibble Close.

The 10th incident occurred between 10pm on February 8 and 8am on February 9. Two vans parked on Wantage Road were broken in to and tools stolen.

The 11th incident occurred between 11pm on February 9 and 9.45am on February 10. A van was broken in to and a number of tools were stolen on Mendip Heights.

The 12th incident occurred between 9pm and 9.40pm on February 10. The doors of a parked van were forced open and an amount of loose change was stolen on Clements Green.

The 13th incident occurred at some point between 4pm on Wednesday, February 6 and 12.30pm on Monday, February 11. A van was broken in to and an amount of loose change and sunglasses were stolen on Clements Green.