An electrical engineer is warning others after her business was devastated by thieves who stole £4,000 worth of tools.

Robyn Mapp, of Somerset Road, Maidstone, was targeted while she was visiting her mum in Borough Green.

Her Ford Transit van was parked overnight in Fairfield Road.

The 30-year-old, who described the thieves as “parasites – incapable of doing an honest day’s work”, is the fourth person to have fallen foul of what is believed to be an organised gang.

Now police are appealing for witnesses to help track them down.

A Kent police spokesman said: “As well as the offence in Fairfield Road last Friday morning there were two similar incidents in The Crescent and another at Annetts Hall between June 18-20.

“Transit owners are being asked to remain vigilant and lock tools away.”

Miss Mapp, who is self-employed, said she believes the thieves broke into her van in the early hours of Friday – emptying it of items which included an electric saw, a jigsaw cutter, two drills, a voltage tester, batteries and chargers.

“I can’t do any work now,” she said. “My livelihood has been taken from me after four years of building up this nice kit.

“Now it’s vanished. I wouldn’t wish it to happen to anyone else.

“All these thieves are good for is feeding off the hard
labour of people trying to
earn an honest living.”

A police spokesman said other vans also had power tools taken. He added: “If you are leaving your vehicle unattended, then make sure you take valuables such as tools with you.

“Make sure you lock all doors and close windows whenever you leave the van. Don’t leave anything on display and park in a garage or secure car park.”