AN ice cream salesman was left frustrated after thieves snatched his distinctive van from outside his house.

The driver, who is known as Steve Whippy in Colchester, asked for Colchester residents to be on alert.

Although the van was stolen from his driveway in Harlow, he serves Colchester customers every day.

Steve has sold ice creams since 1981 and his company, Essex Icecream, has a fleet of six vans.

“My girlfriend looked out there in the morning and just said ‘Where’s your van?’,” he said.

“There on the drive was an empty space where the van was.

“I had just got out of the vehicle having cleaned it out - I must clean it every single night.

“It was about 11pm when I got out, we heard a noise at about 11.30pm but thought nothing of it.”

The theft took place on Monday evening.

He added: “It was stolen to order, surely to take the top off and strip it for parts.

“In all my years I have never heard of an ice cream van being stolen.

“It is frustrating. We will still be in business tomorrow, but you feel violated in a way.”

Anyone with information can contact Essex Police on 101.