A spate of van break-ins has left a roofer from Baldock at least £3,000 out of pocket each of the four times he’s been targeted this year.

The Comet: Each break-in has cost Phillip and his family at least £3,000. Picture: Heather TyrrellEach break-in has cost Phillip and his family at least £3,000. Picture: Heather Tyrrell (Image: Archant)

Phillip O’Ferrall wants to highlight the damage caused to families and livelihoods when these break-ins happen, after the most recent theft last Thursday night.

He told the Comet: “We’ve done everything we can, nothing is stopping them.

“I’m self-employed, so when it happens I can’t even go to work the next day without begging and borrowing other people to use their tools.

“You can’t do the job without the tools, and you’re watching the other roofers get the job done faster, it makes you look stupid. Then the people you work for don’t want you because you don’t have the means to do your job – all because someone’s stolen tools from me.”

Phillip says the break-ins started when him and his family moved into a house near Baldock train station, where he leaves his van in a private residential car park overnight.

“It’s well lit, and I can see the cars from my house,” he continued. “But they don’t care, they’re so brazen.

“I don’t think they’re scared about anyone confronting them. I am just trying to earn a days money.”

Police encourage van owners to remove valuables in from vehicles overnight where possible.

Phillip added: “I’ve got a two-year-old in my house and nowhere to put all of my tools.

“I’m at a point where I’m starting to think maybe I shouldn’t do this work anymore. All the stuff is just more and more money all the time.

“One is the cost to replace the tools – but I know the people that took them will come back again – and I’m also looking at installing cameras, which are at least £250 a piece, new locks, and an alarm. It all adds up.

“All this just to try and stop them taking them. I don’t know how they sleep at night, and they don’t know how much it affects people.

“My partner is now worried that they are going to start breaking into the house – people might think we’re overreacting, but it’s understandable that she’s scared when this has happened four times. This is a much more serious crime than people think.”

Investigating officers ask anyone with information to call 101 quoting 41/43095/18.