POWER tools were snatched from the back of an unlocked van – costing the owner a month’s profit.

Builder Mark Tye, of Artillery Drive, Dovercourt, had parked his van in Coke Street, Harwich, while he was painting at a customer’s house.

He was in the middle of loading materials on Friday January 29 at 2pm and had just gone back inside the house.

With the van unlocked, thieves pounced, grabbing two DeWalt Impact drills from the back.

Mr Tye did not realise the tools were missing until the following Monday, when he checked the back of the van.

He said: When you’re loading and unloading you can’t keep locking it and unlocking it every minute.

“They’ve only got to stand round the corner and keep an eye on us and wait for the right moment.

“I phoned up Harwich Supplies on Monday to say if anyone does get offered these drills – get in touch.

“I’m absolutely fuming, especially because I had just got rid of my old tools and bought these.

“I’ve lost about £600 of tools – it will cost over a month’s profit to replace them and I’ll have to get new drills this week.”

Mr Tye said he had heard about two other vans being broken into on the same day, and said there may be a problem with vans being targeted in Harwich.

He is offering a £100 reward to anyone who comes forward with information which leads to an arrest or the return of the drills.

Anyone with information can call Harwich police on 101.