TOOLS worth thousands of pounds have been discovered following a raid on a home in Bolton, police have said.

The haul was allegedly taken from work vans in the North Bolton area over a nine-day period at the start of June.

Officers have tracked down one van driver who has been targeted by thieves but are now appealing to other drivers to come forward if they think they have had tools stolen.

Junior Sykes, aged 23, had his van broken into when it was parked in Hill Cot Road, Sharples, earlier this month.

Tools worth £3,500 were stolen leaving Mr Sykes no option but to fork out for more equipment from his own pocket — to avoid letting down customers.

Mr Sykes, the director of J Sykes Joinery, said: “We have had to spend money that we wouldn’t have had to if the tools hadn’t been stolen. We also had to rearrange jobs because of it.

“I am now taking everything out of the van and I have had extra alarms fitted in it. Probably around £3,500 of stuff was stolen from the van. I have now just got some hand tools, a radio and a box of screws.”

Det Insp Charlotte Cadden said officers now wanted to find out if any of the tools found have been reported missing.

She added that people should mark tools with their name or postcode to make them easier to be returned if stolen.

Det Insp Cadden said it was too easy for criminals to find unlocked cars. She urged anyone who has been offered tools in the past few weeks in Bolton to call police.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who knows of people who have been involved in the crimes.

People who think the seized tools belong to them are asked to call police and describe anything unique within the tool kits.

Call 0161 856 5761 with information about the crimes or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

l Michael Rollinson, aged 37, of Belmont Road, is due to be sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for driving offences. He has also been charged with two counts of theft from vehicles.