AN organised gang of thieves is targeting builders' vans in a B&Q car park — stealing their tools while victims are inside the store buying new materials.

There have been five separate raids at the Bolton Gate Retail Park store in the past two months and it is thought the gang is operating across the north of England.

It is understood the gang follows builders into the car park before parking up nearby and waiting for them to leave their van.

In one attack the thieves emptied a van in just eight minutes while their victim was in the store.

Andy Douglas lost £3,700 of power tools when his van was targeted on May 12.

Mr Douglas, who has managed Chester-based Ampulla Build Ltd for the past four years.

He said: "The shop timed it at eight-and-a-half minutes while I was inside and I was parked just 40 yards from the door.

"I saw the passenger door slightly open and my first thought was that I had left it unlocked.

"When I got closer I saw it had been emptied.

"I went inside to call the police and the people at B&Q said they had had several similar incidents.

"I remember the car now, and thought it was strange it was parking in the trade bit but I thought nothing more of it.

"There has got to be a few of them to empty the tools so quickly and I would class them as armed as they cut their way into the van.

"They need catching quickly."

The thieves damaged locks or door handles and stole tools and electrical equipment in each case.

The raiders cut small holes into four doors on Mr Douglas' Mercedes van so the alarm was disabled and they could open them.

The damage to the vehicle will cost £1,700 to repair and power saws, drills and table saws were among the tools taken.

Mr Douglas, aged 50, added: "To find out other tradesmen have been targeted is a bit annoying.

"You wonder why B&Q did not have a sign up as I would have made sure someone stayed with the van.

"You work hard and these people think they are just allowed to do this and damage your livelihood. It is just wrong."

Detectives believe that there is a gang operating across the north of England, with the incidents coming in waves in different areas, as police in West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire investigate similar offences.

Police say they have had five vehicle crime offences reported to them relating to the B&Q car park since April 1.

Three of those offences were thefts from vehicles, one was damage to a motor vehicle and another was vehicle interference.

Three vans were also broken into in one day on March 25 and Mr Douglas said he had heard of several other incidents affecting tradesmen.

Det Insp Christopher Mossop said: "This seems to be an issue across the region and seems to come in phases.

"It does not just relate to Bolton. I would like tradesmen to ensure vehicles are always secure.

"Do not park in isolated parts of car parks and be vigilant for vehicles or people acting suspiciously in the area.

"Do not leave items on display and do not carry unnecessary items in vehicles.

"Also, ensure property is marked or photographed should we recover it."

A spokesman for B&Q said: "We are currently working with police with regard to a couple of incidents in our Bolton store car park and, as we do in all of our car parks, we urge customers not to leave valuables unattended."

Anyone with information about the van raids can call police on 0161 8565761 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.