Sidmouth police are urging tradespeople to remove their tools overnight after two vans were targeted – exactly two months after they were last broken into.

PCSO Phil Thomas said the thieves were successful with one in Newton Poppleford but spooked off by an alarm on the other in Sidford, both in the early hours of January 15.

The same vehicles were broken into on November 15 and a large quantity of work tools were removed.

PCSO Thomas said: “Since then another works van in the Sidmouth town area has been broken into and power tools again removed.

“The offender favours vans with side doors but will also break in to rear doors.

“The advice would be to take all tools into a secure building overnight, or at least the most valuable ones, and also to consider CCTV, outside lighting and a trembler alarm for the vehicle. Such alarms are relatively inexpensive.

“Try to park vehicle in such a manner such as close to garage doors or a wall to make entry more difficult.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 and quote crime reference CR/004568/17.