February 9, 2018 12.52 pm This story is over 73 months old

Van crime epidemic: Police warning as 20 more vehicles broken into

Find out how to keep your van safe.

Police are investigating 20 fresh reports of vehicle break-ins in the Boston and South Holland area, as the spate of van crime continues across the county.

Police are investigating 20 incidents reported since midnight on February 8, where vans were broken into or damaged by an attempt break in.

Incidents have been reported in:

  • Crowland x 2
  • Holbeach x 7
  • Surfleet x 2
  • Spalding
  • Weston
  • Deeping St Nicholas x 3
  • Kirton x 2
  • Pinchbeck
  • Gosberton

A further incident of arson in Holbeach is also being investigated, where two vans were set alight after it is believed they too were stolen from.

Police previously warned owners of Ford Transit vans after a string of thefts in the Lincoln area. Many of the vehicles were later found burnt out after being stripped of parts.

More Ford Transit vans stolen and torched in Lincoln area

This comes after over 50 reports of van crime were reported to Lincolnshire Police in Lincoln and surrounding areas in August and September 2017.

Between August 1 and September 12, 30 tool thefts were reported in Lincoln and West Lindsey, with a further 20 more in North and South Kesteven.

Keeping your van safe

You can help protect your van by parking securely ideally in garages or well lit areas and consider if there are areas you could park that are covered by CCTV.

Remove tools over night if possible and consider parking up against a wall to prevent access.

Officers are also asking local people to report any suspicious activity, with those witnessing a crime in action asked call 999.

PC Nicola Lilley said: “We have suffered a significant number of break-ins to work vans (mainly white Ford Transits) using a number of methods to gain entry but the majority have had tools stolen.

“All have occurred over night in the hours of darkness.”