BUILDERS with Ford Transit vans are being warned to remove valuable tools from their vehicles overnight as police suspect thieves are using a skeleton combination key to break in.

The warning comes after expensive power tools were stolen from several of the vans in Thirsk overnight on September 10.

Det Con Matthew Mitchell of Northallerton CID, said: “It’s vital that owners and drivers are vigilant and remove valuables, especially overnight. We appreciate that this may take time at the end of a long day’s work, however to keep your valuables safe, we recommend removing valuable items for safe storage.”

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the Thirsk incidents and have been released on bail while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.