More than £160,000 of tools have been stolen around the county in the last three weeks.

Police are warning van drivers and tradesmen to remove tools from vehicles overnight, and to keep doors and windows locked when on site during the day, following the spate of thefts.

Since March 1 police have received more than 40 reports of thefts of tools from vehicles, with more than a dozen in Medway.

In one incident in Chatham, items worth £34,600 were reportedly taken from a parked van which was broken into overnight. Countywide, the cost has totalled £163,000.

Chief Insp Lee Russell said: "Such incidents as these should be a really important reminder of the importance of not storing tools in vehicles overnight."

Officers have already arrested more than a dozen people suspected of the thefts. Among those arrested is a 15 year-old boy from Margate who is due to appear at youth court on Tuesday, April 8, in connection with an incident on Monday, March 10, when a builder in Cliftonville reported a drill case missing from his van.

Chief Insp Russell added: "We will continue to seek out those responsible for these crimes. However, you can help too. It assists the police if you remain vigilant and do all you can to protect your own property. Ask your neighbours to look out for anything suspicious and if you see anything unusual in your area then please report it to us by calling 101."

Police have also made contact with a number of construction sites and hotels to offer security advice to tradesmen working there.