THIEVES are targeting work vans parked in north Hampshire and taking high-value power tools.

There have been ten incidents in the past week in towns and cities including Basingstoke, Farnborough, Yateley and Winchester.

Around 3pm on Saturday, January 11, thieves stole tools from a Peugeot van parked at the Tesco store in Chineham. Damage was also caused to the rear of a Renault Trafic van around the same time.

That night, tools were stolen from a van parked in Taverner Close, Oakridge, Basingstoke.

Inspector Paul Maginnis, from Basingstoke police station, said thieves had been targeting work vans with valuable power tools inside.

His crime prevention advice included parking the vehicle in a secure area, ensuring all windows and doors are properly secured when leaving the vehicle unattended, and to remove valuable items from the vehicle overnight.

Anyone with information on these incidents can contact 101.