ORGANISED gangs are stealing tens of thousands of pounds of tools from Colchester building sites.

It is believed gang members on mopeds are spying on sites and taking note of when builders’ vans are typically unattended, and then, within a couple of days, others arrive to raid the vans of valuable equipment.

Police are appealing for information after five vans were broken into off the new Tollgate bypass at the Persimmon Homes site. It happened between 9.30am and 10am on Friday, February 27.

The thieves managed to force the doors of several vans and stole a range of equipment before driving off.

They are believed to have moved on to Smiley Cars and Commercials, in London Road, Marks Tey, where they removed a steam cleaner before fleeing the village.

The tactic may have been used at other sites in Colchester, Essex and in London, according to Persimmon Homes site manager Spencer Silverman.

He said: “They stole generators, hand tools, pressure washers and anything they could get.

“It must have been about £10,000 worth. It is the second time we have been hit in a month.

“It has a massive impact.

“The victims are mostly selfemployed and they are not able to work without the tools. Some have no tools left.

“It is difficult to manage or to stop because there is not a secure car park. We have one who won’t be coming back after it happened twice and he can’t afford to lose more tools.”

It is understood similar van raids could be connected, although this has not been confirmed by police.

During recent months, vans have been targeted at sites along Northern Approach Road, in Colchester, and on December 14 vans were broken into at the University of Essex with £20,000 worth of tools stolen.

Anyone with information about the latest break-ins can call PC Jed Raven at Colchester police station on 101.