FIVE vans were broken into last night in Kingsbridge and Aveton Gifford, with power tools stolen from two.

Two vans were broken into in Kingsbridge, one on Treble Park and one on Homelands Place, and three were targeted in Aveton Gifford, two in the village hall car park and one in Timbers car park by the roundabout overnight between Tuesday, January 19 - Wednesday, January 20.

Power tools were stolen from two of the vehicles and the others are being treated as attempted thefts. Police are linking all five crimes.

Sergeant Dave Green of Kingsbridge Police said: ‘Our Scene of Crime Officers have assessed the vans and are investigating any forensic evidence they find. Local police will be knocking on doors and speaking to the victims this week, and investigations will continue.

‘Our advice is, where at all possible, don’t leave expensive power tools in vehicles, and if there is no choice, you can invest in sturdy locked containers for tools, like a safe, that are very hard to get in to.’

If you have any information about the break ins, or if your vehicle was broken into, contact the police on 101.