Ford Transit van drivers are being warned to stay alert after a string of tool thefts across High Wycombe and Marlow which has already seen 20 crimes in just over a month.

Police say the 19 thefts and one attempted theft are being linked, with tools stolen from parked work Ford Transit panel vans in all but one of the incidents.

At least ten of the thefts have been in the last seven days, and several have been from vans along London Road, 

There was no sign of forced entry in any of the incidents, according to police.

The thefts took place:

•    Between 11pm on December 8 and 7.30am on December 9 in Spring Gardens, Marlow. Drills and other tools were stolen
•    Between 5pm on December 10 and 7.45am on December 11 in Forest Way in High Wycombe. Various tools, including drills and batteries, were stolen
•    Between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on December 11 in West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe. Various tools, including laser level and power drill, stolen
•    Between 11pm and 11.15pm on December 11 in Desborough Avenue, High Wycombe. Two Bosch drills, plus chargers and bits were stolen
•    Between 7pm on December 11 and 6.30am on December 12 in London Road, High Wycombe. Various tools, including drills and grinders, were stolen
•    Between 7pm on December 11 and 6.30am on December 12 in London Road, High Wycombe. Various tools stolen
•    Between 7pm on December 11 and 6.30am on December 12 in London Road, High Wycombe. Various tools stolen
•    Between 12.30am and 6.30am on December 19 in Crest Road, High Wycombe. A hand tool was stolen
•    Between 11.59pm on January 7 and 8.30am on January 8 in Bowerdean Road, High Wycombe. Various tools, including a strimmer and leaf blower, were stolen
•    Between 4.30pm on January 10 and 11.30am on January 11 in Squirrel Lane, High Wycombe. Cash, keys and debit card were stolen
•    Between 8pm on January 9 and 7am on January 12 in Windsor Drive, High Wycombe. Tools were stolen
•    Between 11pm on January 11 and 6am on January 12 in Sedgmoor Road, Flackwell Heath. A radio, battery, drill battery and two drills were stolen
•    Between 11pm on January 11 and 6am on January 12 in Sedgmoor Road, Flackwell Heath. A box of plumbing sundries was stolen
•    Between 10.45pm and 11.30pm on January 12 in London Road, High Wymcombe. A CAT scanner and generator was stolen
•    Between 8pm on January 12 and 6am on January 13 in Short Street, High Wycombe. A power tool and hand saw were stolen
•    Between 9pm on January 12 and 6.15am on January 13 in London Road, High Wycombe. A CAT scanner, genny and chain saw were stolen
•    Between 9pm on January 12 and 6.15am on January 13 in London Road, High Wycombe. A blue socket set and CAT scanner were stolen
•    5pm on January 12 and 10am on January 13 in Carisbrooke Avenue, High Wycombe. Hand and car repair tools stolen
•    Between 5pm on January 13 and 12pm on January 15 in Shields Court, Tylers Green. Various power tools, including drills and angle grinder, stolen   

There was also an attempted theft from a motor vehicle between 7.30pm on December 9 and 7.30am on December 10 in London Road, High Wycombe.

The incident involved a Vauxhall Vivaro. No entry was gained and nothing was taken.

Det Con Caroline Timmis, of High Wycombe Local CID, said: “The advice we would give owners of Ford Transit vans is, if they can, remove tools from their vehicles overnight. If that is not possible, make sure the van is parked in as safe and well-lit an area as possible.

“Ford Transit owners should also make sure their tools are marked in some way and that they have recorded any serial numbers they have on them, so the tools can be returned if they are recovered.

“I also ask for people living in the High Wycombe and Marlow areas to be aware of and report any suspicious activity around Ford Transit vans.”

Anyone with information about this incident should contact investigating officer Det Con Timmis via the 24-hour enquiry line 101.

If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.