Police warning after spate of thefts from vans

Officers are also appealing for information over reports of four vans which were broken into between Thursday, April 17 and Sunday, April 27.

The most recent took place sometime between Friday, April 25 and Sunday, April 27 in Belper. A number of tools and power tools were stolen from a Ford Transit van parked on Gibfield Lane.

Power tools and equipment were also stolen two vans in South Normanton.

Both vehicles had been parked on Carter Lane East when the incidents happened, with an LDV being targeted between Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 and a Citroen Relay van between Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25.

In Heanor, a Mercedes van parked on Hassock Lane was broken into sometime between Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18. A sat-nav and bag were stolen.

Community Safety Inspector Russell Dakin said: “We would always advise van owners to remove any valuable items from vehicles overnight and to make sure that they are secure, with the doors locked and windows closed. They should also consider marking valuables with specialist forensic property marking kits.

“When working on sites or at nearby premises, traders should also make sure they leave their vehicles secure whenever they are away from them, as an opportunist thief will randomly try a vehicles doors to see if they can get inside easily.

Insp. Dakin added: “I would also ask anyone with information, or who might have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area to contact us.”

Other security tips include:

If possible park in a secure garage or in a well-lit area, with the vans rear or side doors close to a garage, wall or fence.

Consider having an alarm or immobiliser fitted if your van does not have one.

If you have an immobiliser or alarm, make sure it is set.

Report any suspicious activity to police, including descriptions of individuals or any vehicles they could be using.

Anyone with information should call 101, the non-emergency number for Derbyshire police, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.