A TRADESMAN has spoken out about the number of tool and van thefts in the area, after becoming a victim for the second time in six months.

James Taylor feels the issue isn’t being taken seriously enough by the authorities and was disappointed with the response he received after reporting his vehicle stolen.

Thieves stole the Tetbury resident’s van on March 6 and on the same night, a pick-up truck was also stolen nearby.

The plasterer also fell victim to thieves in October when his van was broken-into and his tools were taken.

“We had to wait a while for an officer to speak to us as it was a low category incident,” he said. “They asked to see the CCTV footage but we couldn’t see their faces as the council turn off the lights.”

James had fitted CCTV on police recommendation when his tools were stolen in October.

“We could see a car pull up and then a man came to my van and put something in the lock,” he said. 

“Police concluded there was not enough evidence. A young lad has also had his pick up truck stolen from the same car port as mine and there was also a van stolen in Stonehouse but there’s little being done.” 

It’s not just in Gloucestershire where van theft is a concern. Last Saturday, a group of van drivers - Van and Tool Theft Awareness (VATTA) held a national demonstration in Plymouth where more than 300 vans turned up to protest. 

A police spokesman said: “We’re sorry that the victim is unhappy with the service they received. An officer has visited the victim to discuss the issues they have raised.

"We circulated the details of the van within force and to other forces and we allocated an officer to visit the victim in the following days. A community alert was also issued to local residents to appeal for any information and warn others

“Thefts from vans did increase rapidly prior to Christmas, with over 200 offences in just over three months, although the numbers have since reduced.

"This has been a national problem, with organised criminals suspected in many cases."

Organiser Alex Horner said it is vital to raise awareness about the issue, which he believes is becoming a national epidemic. 

“We need to raise awareness because this is organised crime,” Alex said. 

“Our aim is to work with the police to get faster reporting, faster response and security advice. These are organised gangs who are helping themselves to peoples tools. It’s ruining livelihoods and insurance companies are now reluctant to insure.” 

VATTA have set up a tool bank so people can continue to work.  “Campaigns have been going for a while, a man called Lee Watts received a letter from the home office but I’m hoping our demonstration has raised awareness.