Police have recovered thousands of pounds worth of stolen equipment was recovered after a raid at a property in Colchester.

Essex Police Colchester’s Community Policing Team were informed of a theft on November 15 which had seen £20,000 worth of items taken from a vehicle overnight.

Later that day, in the early afternoon, officers received vital information which subsequently enabled them to obtain a warrant for a building of interest.

After visiting the property in question and conducted an internal search, the officers managed to find equipment which had been snatched hours earlier.

They also recovered a large quantity of controlled substances and a number of power tools believed to have been stolen from the area.

A 52-year-old man from Colchester has since been arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle and possession with intent to supply controlled substances.

Essex Police is now asking workers in the area to check inside their vehicles to see if they have fallen victim to any thefts.

A spokesman said: “We have searched our crime systems and are urging tradesman to check their vehicles and ensure any thefts are reported to Essex Police.”

To report a theft call 101 or visit essex.police.uk.