A FURIOUS builder told how he has had thousands of pounds worth of tools stolen three times in two months.

On Monday, Chris Harrington, 77, found his white Ford Transit van doors wide open, again. This time £5,000 worth of tools had been stolen.

The builder, who lives in Hockley Road, Rayleigh, explained: “These people are the lowest of the absolute low, they took my petrol disc cutter, a £3,000 jet washer, diesel-powered Makita cordless tools, saws, a Makita radio and more.

“This has majorly set me back at work, with it being the third time I’ve been hit in the last two months even though I have locks all over my van.

“I’ve lost about £8,000 overall from being targeted, but this latest hit was the worst it’s ever been.

“It’s not just money and tools I can’t afford to lose – the amount of work I’m going to have to get through just to replace them, and that’s without making a living, is absolutely ridiculous.

“Luckily no damage was done to the van - they were able to unlock it by overriding the locking mechanism.”

Chris is now appealing for information, hoping that anyone who can help will come forward.

He continued: “Sadly none of my neighbours have cameras, but it’s likely to have happened between 10am and 11.30pm on Monday. Someone might have thought they were just workmen unloading their van.

“You can’t always get high power washers like I had quickly, it’s very frustrating.

“I urge anyone with information to come forward.

“We’ve had no luck in catching these thieves in the past, and I need these tools to get by.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.