A TRADESMAN is in shock after his company van was stolen with £3,000 worth of tools inside.

Lee Phillippo of Ivy Maintain and Develop parked up his company van in Blythe Way, Maldon on Friday, leaving it locked with groundwork tools secured inside, and was devastated to wake up to find it gone.

Lee, whose company provides brickwork, driveway, fencing and extension services to Maldon and Chelmsford, had to purchase £2,000 worth of tools over the weekend just to attend planned jobs this week.

He said: “It was a massive punch to the gut, it was parked up and secured in the road, and to wake up to find it gone is devastating.

“The insurance company has been really tight and will only cover £500 worth of the £3,000 worth of tools that were taken, so we’ve had to fork out an awful lot just to get our jobs done this week.

“You don’t realise just how much you need all of your tools until they’re gone, when you automatically go to pick up a hammer and it takes you a moment to remember it was nicked.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were called to reports of a stolen van in Blythe Way, Maldon, on Saturday, February 25.

“The victim, a man aged in his 30s, discovered his white Ford Transit van, tools and heating and plumbing equipment had been stolen.

“The vehicle was taken between 7pm on Friday, February 24, and 7.40am the following day.”

Call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.