Tradies targeted in mass thefts

Tradies targeted in mass thefts

Christchurch police are concerned about a growing number of tools being stolen.

They're fighting a thriving black market with tradespeople targeted at home, on the job and on the road.

The evidence room at Christchurch police station is packed with stolen tools - all of it found in one home, and the occupant has been charged with burglary.

There are expensive drills, waterblasters, hammers - all unnamed.

"We know they go round targeting work vans, they might go drive looking at three or four, looking at 10 in a night," says Detective Sergeant Damon Wells.

Burglars have been targeting vans in the middle of the night.

Kennedy Construction has been hit five times and their insurance bill is nearing $40,000.

"We've had two of our utes broken into, and tools stolen from guys houses, and we've had the other three stolen from sites, some out of containers, some out of simple site sheds," says Laird Kennedy.

Builder Paul Hussey had his work truck stolen, with $6000 worth of tools inside, in broad daylight.  

"I've heard lots of my mates have their trucks cleaned out, but you go, 'Oh, that's not going to happen to me'," he says.

Police want tradies to install alarms and tinted windows, and to get the tools engraved.

"If you can secure your vehicle in a garage or something, to get it off the street, is the ideal," Sgt Wells says.

"If you can't do that at least take it out of your car, and if you can't do that at least make it hard for the burglars by having it named."

It removes the opportunity for thieves profiting on the black market.

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