Thieves use drill to steal tools from van

Two men have been arrested after a drill was used to steal other tools from a van.

Essex Police said a member of the public had reported two men with a car "acting suspiciously" in a shopping centre car park in Wickford at about 13:00 GMT on Thursday.

Police said it was reported that a power tool was being used to gain access to the parked van and it was later recovered from a car for forensics to look at.

The pair, aged 27 and 30 and from east London, were arrested in Broadhurst Place in Basildon about an hour later and they have since been released on bail.

Police said the van was damaged and a number of tools stolen from it.

Insp Emma Patterson, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: "I'd like to thank the member of the public for calling us; being alert to what was happening allowed us to work quickly and make two arrests.

"We understand the impact on someone's livelihood this type of crime can have.

"We'd ask the public to tell us if they have been offered any tools for sale cheaply."

The pair were arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle and going equipped for theft.

The 30-year-old driver of the car was also arrested on suspicion of having no driving licence and insurance.

The 27-year-old, who was the passenger, was also arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle on 31 October 2024.

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