VIDEO: CCTV has captured a gang of thieves gaining access to a Ford Transit van before stealing the tools inside on a quiet side road in Northwood during the early hours of yesterday morning (Friday).
The shocking footage shows a vehicle – a dark estate car with roof bars – driving past the van before stopping alongside. The gang of at least 3 then, in just 3 seconds, gain access to the vehicle before quickly but calmly emptying the contents.
The incident took place on Wroxall Close of Venner Avenue at 03:20 and is at least the third reported incident of its kind during Thursday night into Friday morning, with Transit vans also targeted in Simeon Street, Ryde and Mountbatten Drive, Carisbrooke, as first reported by Island Echo.
Debbie Bird, whose CCTV captured the theft from her husband’s van has said:
“My husband has spent 35 years getting his tools up together. It could have been worse, but still sickening when you watch the video.
“We are going to find out if other neighbours also have CCTV, but we’re not giving out much hope”.
Police say it would appear that vehicles are showing no signs of forced entry so it is assumed that either a master key is being used or vehicles are being left insecure.
Van owners are being urged to check and double check security measures and to consider removing tools from vehicles overnight. It is recommended that works vehicles are fitted with additional security measures such as additional locks.
Officers say that while it is appreciated that these vehicles are generally workhorses, owners should try and keep them as clean as possible inside where any valuables may be kept to maximise any forensic potential.
This latest spate of thefts comes just 8 months after a large number of Transit vans were targeted across the Island in a similar way.
