POLICE in Eastleigh are advising tradesmen to remove items from vans after tools worth more than £5,000 were stolen in a spate of thefts.

The raids happened overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday last week when two vans were broken into in West End.

A Mercedes Vito van, parked in Charmwen Crescent, had items stolen that included a De Walt drill and chisel, an electrical jack hammer and an Ex SEB 10,000-volt tester.

Tools were also stolen from a Citroen Berlingo in Sharon Road.

Items missing include a Bosch hammer drill and a Makita angle drill.

Anyone with information should contact Hedge End police station on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity line anonymously on 0800 555 111.