SOUTHAMPTON: WHITE van drivers have been targeted by thieves more than 30 times in the last two months in Southampton.

Since the start of the year, vans parked in the city have been broken into 32 times at a cost of more than £17,000.

The spate of attacks centre around the Millbrook and Lordshill areas.

In one particular incident in Guernsey Close, Lordshill, at the start of February, tools worth £3,000 were taken from a van.

A few days later, tools worth £2,500 were stolen from another vehicle parked in Dale Valley Road, Lordshill.

Police have issued a warning to drivers to be extra vigilant when leaving their vans parked, and not to leave tools in vehicles overnight.

Inspector Rachel Stokes from Shirley police station said: “Insecure vehicles are an easy target for thieves as are works vans. There has been a recent increase in the area of these types of offences with several each week and we want to highlight to members of the public not to leave any valuable items within their vehicles whilst unattended.

“It is quite likely it is the same people carrying out these thefts and we are working to find those responsible as soon as possible. I’d urge anyone with any information about the thefts to contact us.”

Police say drivers should also mark any tools so that they are easier to trace and less attractive to thieves to steal.

Anyone with information about any of the thefts in the Lordshill or Millbrook areas or thinks they may have been offered stolen tools is asked to contact Shirley police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.