Police have issued warnings to van owners in rural areas after a spate of break-ins and thefts.

Officers are investigating after thieves stole tools from a van parked in a layby in Appledore Road in the village of Woodchurch between New Year’s Eve and Tuesday, January 2.

Meanwhile thieves stole plastic crates, sweets, and snacks from a van in Woodchurch between Thursday, December 28 and New Year’s Day.

They are also investigating reports of a van being broken into in Torrington Road in Ashford on Tuesday, January 2, and say the incidents could be linked.

Insp Jason Atkinson from the Ashford Community Safety Unit said: “We are keeping an open mind as to whether these incidents are linked, but nevertheless they are an important reminder not to keep valuable items in your van overnight.

“Thieves tend to be opportunists and will take their chances to see if there’s anything they can steal and it only helps them if those items are already on display in the vehicle.”

Anyone with information about the break ins is asked to call the police on 01843 222289 and quote reference number ZY/169/18 for the first incident and ZY/0143/18 for the second.