Another van break-in in Baldock has sparked a police appeal for information and witnesses.

Between 8pm on Wednesday and 6.30am yesterday offenders damaged a window of a white Volkswagen Caddy in Merchants Walk.

A blue and black Makita electric drill, a yellow and black Dewalt electric drill and a Dewalt power saw, radio and a yellow and black torch were taken (crime reference 41/47405/18).

Officers are also investigating an incident of vehicle interference where another van was targeted in Baldock.

Between 5.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday, damage was caused to a silver Mercedes Vito in Yeomanry Drive, however no items were taken (crime reference 41/47432/18).

PCSO Sara Masella said: “Anyone who witnessed these incidents or has information about them, should contact us on the non-emergency number 101, quoting the relevant crime reference number. You can also email me at Sara.Masella@herts.pnn.police.uk.

“I would also like you to get in touch if you think you might have been offered any of the stolen items for sale.

“There are a number of steps you can take to help prevent your van being targeted:

• It might sound obvious, but make sure you lock the doors and shut the windows whenever you leave your van unattended.

• Never leave any valuables visible - keep all possessions out of sight. Even if you know that there is nothing valuable in your jacket pocket or file left on the seat, a thief may try their luck.

• Remove tools from your van when left over night

• If removal of tools is not possible, fit a tool safe and ensure it is fully secured with good quality locks.

• Consider parking your van close to a hedge or wall in order to restrict access for anyone trying to get inside.

• Engrave or mark tools and their boxes with your postcode and house number.

• Fit additional locks external locks to van doors.

• Use an approved steering lock or gear clamps, and remember to set your immobiliser and alarm if you have one.

• Fit a dual band tracking device that works on VHF/UHF and GPS to ensure that one tracking system is still functioning if criminals use GPS blocking techniques to avoid detection. Purchase devices to ‘Thatcham’ and ‘SBD’ approval to combat this type of vehicle theft, as vehicles equipped with a tracking device are often promptly recovered.

• Use a “Pedal Box Guard” to encase the pedals when the vehicle is not in use.

• Fit an on-board diagnostic (OBD) safe device, a secure lockable device that fits over the vehicle’s OBD port, inside the cabin, to prevent additional keys being coded.

• We recommend products that are Sold Secure, or Secured By Design.

• Hertfordshire residents can get a ten percent discount on vehicle security products through Protect a Van.”