POLICE in Pewsey are advising builders and tradesmen not to leave any power tools in vans following a spate of thefts.

Seven vans were broken into on one night, WPC Michelle Haley told the parish council on Tuesday.

The hauls included drills, saws, generators and petrol-powered disc cutters. Doors were forced and windows broken to gain entry to the vans.

Advice included reversing vans up against each other to prevent access to the rear doors which, in most cases, were how the thieves made their entry.

Coun John Cooke said the thefts were a major concern because the workmen depended on their tools.

"A lot of these fellows are losing their livelihood by having their expensive tools stolen," he said. "How seriously is the police headquarters taking this? It's the most serious spate of theft in the village I can recall."

WPC Haley said police were taking the thefts very seriously and had spoken to each of the victims to advise them on how the security of their vehicles and their contents could be upgraded.