Tools stolen overnight - crime alert and advice

Tools stolen overnight - crime alert and advice

Hello,

Overnight Saturday (4th) into Sunday (5th), there was an incident of tools stolen from a van in Maidstone Road. This was along the stretch of road between Cow's Roundabout and Barrow Hill Vets. If you have any CCTV of any suspicious persons carrying tools or behaving suspiciously then please consider reporting quoting KP-20260705-0678, and we can send you a link to upload your footage for review.

Crime Prevention Advice: Protect Your Vehicle and Valuable Property

Kent Police is reminding residents, tradespeople and vehicle owners to take simple steps to reduce the risk of theft from vehicles.

Advice for Tradespeople and Van Owners

Thieves often target vans in search of expensive tools and equipment. Wherever possible:

Do not leave tools, machinery or valuable equipment in vans overnight.

Remove tools from your vehicle at the end of each working day and store them securely inside a property.

If tools must remain in a vehicle, park in a secure, well-lit location and consider using additional security measures such as tool safes, alarms, steering locks and tracking devices.

Ensure all doors and windows are locked and the vehicle is fully secured whenever left unattended.

Mark and register tools with a recognised property marking scheme to assist identification and recovery if stolen.

Advice for Car Owners

Opportunist thieves will often target vehicles where valuables are left on display.

Do not leave items of value in your vehicle overnight, or at any time if it can be avoided.

Remove handbags, wallets, mobile phones, laptops, sat navs and other valuables before leaving your vehicle.

Do not leave loose change, sunglasses or charging cables visible, as these can attract thieves who may believe more valuable items are inside.

Ensure all doors, windows and sunroofs are fully closed and locked.

Use secure, well-lit parking areas where available.

If You Witness Suspicious Activity

If you see anyone acting suspiciously around vehicles, note descriptions where safe to do so and report it. In an emergency, or if a crime is in progress, call 999. For non-emergency reports, contact Kent Police via 101 or through the Kent Police website.

Taking a few moments to remove valuables and secure your vehicle can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

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Message Sent By
Adam Staughton
(Kent Police, Police Constable, Ashford Neighbourhood Beat Officer)