'˜Act now in improving your security' warns Cuckfield kitchen fitter

The fresh warning comes after we reported concerns raised by Peter Stevenson from Haywards Heath, that van break-ins were ‘rife’ in the district. Read our story here.

Jonny Lea, 44, of Wheatsheaf Lane, Cuckfield, said: “In my case although they couldn’t get past the slam lock they did cause thousands of pounds worth of damage.

“Fortunately I’ve got protected no claims and excess cover, however it still takes a lot of time and effort to get the vehicle fixed.

“Since the attempted break-in I’ve spent a considerable amount adding additional levels of security which I know won’t stop these lowlives from getting in but it might just buy me an extra few minutes to get to my van before they empty it or drive off with the whole lot.

“Nowhere is safe so my advice to other tradesmen would be to act now in improving your security on your van, tools and home.

“Trade social media groups such as VATTA (Van and Tool Theft Awareness) will give you tips and a heads up on what’s happening in your area.

“As it stands there is very little to deter these thieves, police do not have the manpower to catch them so it’s up to us to make it as hard as possible for them to take our livelihoods away from us.”

Since reporting on the van break-ins the Middy has gone to Sussex Police and MP Sir Nicholas Soames to find out what is being done to tackle the problem.

Inspector Jo Webb said: “We are aware of a number of thefts from vans and sheds across Mid Sussex.

“Tools and garden equipment appear to be continually targeted.

“Most offences are reported to us after the theft and not at the time of occurrence.

“We are however continuing to investigate each case looking at links to identify offenders responsible.

“If anyone is seen acting suspiciously please contact us immediately.”

Mr Soames said: “Mr Stevenson came to one of my surgeries in March last year and following that meeting I wrote to MP Sarah Newton, the minister at the Home Office responsible at the time.

“I have noted Mr Stevenson’s further points and I will wait to hear from him again.”

Mrs Newton said she ‘fully understood the distress and disruption that this type of offence causes and the effect it has on victims’.

She also said it was important that these crimes are reported to the police so that they can be ‘investigated and, where appropriate, the perpetrators taken through the courts and given tough sentences’.

She added: “The Theft Act 1968 provides a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment for these types of offences and, when deciding what sentence to impose the courts will take account of the circumstances of the offence and any mitigating and aggravating factors. Financial harm to the victim or others and the impact of theft on a business are among aggravating factors which will be taken into consideration by the courts when deciding on the sentence to impose.”